Te Akau Shark has retained favouritism for the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday despite drawing 16 of 20 in the A$1 million race.
However, he now shares the favourites tag with Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) vanquisher Dreamforce and last start Gr.3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) winner Kolding.
After beating Te Akau Shark in the Tramway, Dreamforce subsequently finished second to Avilius in the Gr.1 Colgate Optic White Stakes (1600m) at Randwick last month and has been installed as the topweight for Saturday, where he will carry 57kg from barrier 20.
The Chris Waller-trained Kolding has fared a little better and will jump from barrier 13 and carry 50.5kg.
Meanwhile, Te Akau’s other Group One hope in Sydney on Saturday, Probabeel, has also drawn the visitor’s barrier in the Flight Stakes (1600m).
Last season’s Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) winner will jump from the outside barrier in the select field of six.
