KEY POINTS:
Trainer Colin Little believes a better Cox Plate barrier draw will be an important factor in El Segundo's quest to go one better than last year in Australasia's greatest weight-for-age race.
El Segundo jumped from barrier 10 in a field of 12 for last year's Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in Melbourne and came from last to be beaten a nose by Fields Of Omagh.
For tomorrow's feature he has drawn gate seven in a 13-horse field.
"I'm feeling good about the horse. The main difference is that he's drawn better this year," Little said.
"Last year from where he was drawn with his style of racing he had to go back to last, but it won't be necessary this year. I just think it's ideal."
El Segundo reeled off the fastest gallop in training at Moonee Valley last Saturday, working alone over 1400m and finishing off his last 400m in a slick 23.78 seconds.
Little said the gelding's work was exactly the same as on the same day last year when he came home the last 600m in 36s.
"He did seem to do it pretty comfortably," he said.
The Pins six-year-old, who has the honour of carrying the No 1 saddlecloth, didn't gallop at Caulfield today with Little giving him his final fast workout there on Tuesday.
Little declined to name a main danger to El Segundo in the 2040m feature but conceded that it was a very open race.
"There were plenty of horses who looked good going into last year's race but failed to stand up," he said.
