Racing: Quick start key to victory, says O'Sullivan

If you're swaying whether to drop off favourite Baldessarini (No7, R8) because of his wide barrier in tomorrow's $200,000 Railway, take heart from Lance O'Sullivan.

The record-holding champion New Zealand jockey has won Railways from outside barriers - the most recent on Egyptian Raine - and says Baldessarini is not out of contention.

But one element is required, says O'Sullivan - luck and lots of it.

"The key is in the first 150m.

"If you can jump quickly you head towards the inside and if your luck is in you'll end up with the perfect sit behind them.

"That's what happened to Egyptian Raine. She ended up with a lovely run."

O'Sullivan said he noticed that winning at the 1200m barrier at Ellerslie became a lot easier when the track was re-cambered at the point where the 1200m start is made.

"It used to be a lot more difficult."

Baldessarini has two very important factors to offset his wide gate - blistering early speed and Lisa Cropp.

Cropp is a master at getting horse to work without taking too much out of them. That coupled with a fast getaway should be enough to get the favourite pair into a position to slot in if the required gap is there.

"Yeah, it won't be easy," says O'Sullivan, "but it's not impossible."

A win for Devoted (No5) would be appropriate after his shocking Railway luck a year ago.

He was clearly above himself in condition when beaten into second last start and will be a lot fitter.

Gee I Jane (No4) is reported to be over the problems that saw her race well below her best in Melbourne and is well up to a trifecta showing despite the class of the field.