Grahame Begg has some questions to ask over computerised barrier draws after Cardinal Gem drew the extreme outside barrier for the third time in succession.
Cardinal Gem contests the Listed Weekend Hussler (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday coming off a win at Flemington on September 18.
Prior to the Flemington victory, Cardinal Gem draw barrier 13 of 13, jumped from gate 11 of 11 in his Flemington win while on Saturday he has barrier 12 of 12.
“I made the point on Wednesday that some horses, and you see it often, they always draw wide gates,” Begg said.
“Mathematically how can it be so. If it’s computerised, it doesn’t make sense.
“I’ve got to question it myself.”
Those odds of three outside draws are extreme, 1716-to-one and would grow considerably if Cardinal Gem was again to draw an outside barrier at his next start.
Begg said his father Neville made a complaint in Hong Kong when training there following a spate of wide barriers.
“He reckons his horses kept drawing outside gates so he complained and all-of-a-sudden he started drawing inside gates,” Begg said.
“He maintains it, so maybe I might have to go and complain.”
Notwithstanding the wide barrier, Begg said Cardinal Gem was in good order for Saturday’s race.
He acknowledges it is a big jump in grade, from a Benchmark 70 win to Listed grade, but Begg said the form from Flemington reads well.
“There were two winners from Sale on Wednesday that finished behind him at Flemington,” Begg said.
“I know it’s a big step up to Listed grade on Saturday, but it’s good seeing the form franked.”
Cardinal Gem has been easy in the TAB market after opening equal favourite at $3.90, he has drifted to $4.80 second pick.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Old Flame has on the other hand gone the other way, shortening from $3.90 into $2.90.