Racing: Dream draw for Bailey

Wendy Reid may have won the Great Northern Derby for Baileys Dream five days before it is even run.

Reid, wife of trainer Steven Reid, was entrusted with choosing Baileys Dream's barrier draw from a series of concealed envelopes at yesterday's barrier draw function at sponsors Woodlands Stud outside Clevedon.

Reid selected the envelope with barrier two and that draw was enough to see Baileys Dream shorten into $2.65 favouritism for the $125,000 classic at Alexandra Park on Friday night.

"I wasn't too worried where he drew but I am thrilled with two," said Steven Reid.

"He has shown he has gate speed and I couldn't be happier with him."

Baileys Dream has only had one start this season, beating Derby rival Revagain 10 days ago.

While drawing barrier two will greatly help Baileys Dream, most of his favoured rivals also fared well.

Revagain will start from the ace draw while Advance Attack, a winner at the Alexandra Park workouts on Saturday, will start from barrier four if there are no unexpected scratchings.

Early favourite Marika, who was backed into $3 on Saturday, has drifted to $4.50 after drawing four on the second line, following out Advance Attack, although trainer Laurence Hanrahan was not overly concerned.

Sires' Stakes winner Tribute will start from two on the second line.

The field for the Derby is:-

Revagain (1), Baileys Dream (2), White Pointer (3), Classic Cullen (4), Advance Attack (5), Place Of Glory (6), Badlands Bute (7), Hippity Hop (8), Southern Ruler (9), Beware (10), Tribute (11), Spirit Of Dreams (12), Marika (13), Presido (14), Cruisn In New York (15). Emergencies: Southern Ruler, White Pointer.