Flemington Races 18/7/2015: Sadler happy with draw for Charmed Harmony

Most pundits view a wide draw over 1400m at Flemington as a curse.

Trainer John Sadler usually subscribes to that theory, however he wasn’t disappointed with gate 14 for Charmed Harmony in Saturday’s Bruce Gadsden Handicap.

A last start Caulfield winner, Charmed Harmony has been racing consistently this campaign with his one blemish coming from an inside draw at Geelong in April.

“He enjoys free-wheeling and gradually crossing so I would rather him draw 14 than one,” Sadler said.

“He’s not a horse that hits the ground and goes ping, he builds to a speed where he tries to run them off their legs.

“With him if you happen to be a little slow away and drawn in, you can be in trouble.”

Sadler said Charmed Harmony had trained on well since his Caulfield win and the give in the ground, currently rated a soft six, will be to his liking.

While Sadler was not concerned with the draw for Charmed Harmony, he said barrier 14 was far from ideal for Henwood in the Flemington Event Staff Handicap (1600m).

Henwood, a last start third to Charmed Harmony, will also enjoy the soft conditions but Sadler said poor barriers throughout the gelding’s career had impacted on his record.

“Bad barriers have almost ruined his career, he just can’t draw a gate,” Sadler said.

“He’s not a get back horse, but he’s had to do it that many times because of the barriers he’s drawn.

“On Saturday he’ll go forward and unfortunately will have to be dug to get there and will probably then be found wanting in the last bit.”

Sadler will also saddle two-year-olds Most Wanted and Star Planet in The Flemington Family Handicap (1200m).

First-starter Most Wanted won a jumpout at Caulfield on Tuesday with Sadler saying he’s a nice horse, while Star Planet is still a maiden after four runs.

Article from justhorseracing.com.au

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