By MIKE DILLON
Lance O'Sullivan took only one deep breath of disappointment when horror barrier No 19 was drawn yesterday for his $350,000 Sleepyhead Derby ride Idol.
Of all the horses trying to beat the favourites Buzz Lightyear and Ad Alta at Ellerslie on Sunday, probably the last one needing to draw wide was Idol, who chased Buzz Lightyear home in the Derby Trial last Sunday week.
"It's only a problem if you think of it as a problem," said O'Sullivan at yesterday's Counties races.
That slice of homespun wisdom came from a lesson from his father, champion trainer Dave O'Sullivan, a decade ago.
He was riding stable runner Ensign Ewart in the Railway Handicap and had the problem of overcoming a tough No 14 barrier from Ellerslie's 1200m starting point.
"I sat in the jockeys room agonis- ing over what to do.
"I came up with all these exotic theories of riding the horse back in the field against his usual pattern then Dad walked round the corner.
"He pushed the racebook in front of my nose, put his finger over the number one of the No 14 barrier and said: 'That's what you've drawn, now ride him accordingly.'
"I rode Ensign Ewart as if he'd drawn No 4, went straight to the front and won."
There is no suggestion Idol will be heading towards the lead on Sunday, but the way the strapping, Hong Kong-owned 3-year-old races, he will need a handy spot not too far off the rails and it will be O'Sullivan's job to find it for him.
"I'll just have to ride him as it comes, I'm not worrying about it."
Buzz Lightyear drew nicely for his racing style at No 8 while Ad Alta could not have drawn a better spot than No 3.
Noel Harris has stuck with Vivaldi, who impressed with his final dash to leave maidens at Tauranga two starts back. He then finished strongly into third in his middle distance debut at Matamata last start.
He races in the same colours as Buzz Lightyear, those of Terry Jarvis, who has a third strong Derby chance in the filly Hill Of Grace.
The long, rangy Zabeel filly created a big impression winning at Ellerslie last start and while short on experience with only three race starts, she has the class if she is not fazed by the occasion.
Racing: O'Sullivan remains positive after disappointing draw
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