BARRIER WON'T DETERMINE VOW AND DECLARE CUP CHANCES, SAYS O'BRIEN

Flemington trainer Danny O’Brien says a wide barrier for local hope Vow And Declare will not diminish the four-year-old’s chances in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.

The Queensland Derby runner-up will jump from barrier 21 for jockey Craig Williams, alongside Australia’s other local hope Surprise Baby in 20.

But O’Brien played down any negativity about the wide draw, just two gates wider than Cross Counter’s winning barrier in the same race last year. ‘‘I don’t think the Melbourne Cup is won or lost at the barrier draw historically,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s probably one of the races in the year where the barrier draw is the least important so I’m not particularly fussed. Our horse will be midfield or worse so as long as he stays out of trouble to the first turn, we’ll be happy.’’

Story by Damian Ractliffe for The Age

Pic by Jay Town