Wide gate a boon for Veyron in George Main

Friday 20 September 2013, 12:38pm

A small field with no noted front-runner and a Group One prize at the end.

Saturday's George Main Stakes at Randwick is shaping as a battle of tactics and Veyron's trainer Linda Laing is not revealing hers.

An on-speed runner, Veyron has the capability to take up the leadership role in the George Main (1600m).

He has performed well when he has led over similar trips in New Zealand but has also shown his versatility to come from midfield in two of his five Group One wins across the Tasman and Laing is loath to reveal her game plan for Saturday.

"I don't want to give too much away," Laing said.

"I'll discuss it with Christian (Reith)."

A brilliant first-up winner of the Warwick Stakes with Reith aboard, Veyron bungled the jump in the Chelmsford then had trouble gaining clear running in the straight, finishing ninth.

Laing said it wasn't the first time Veyron had been slow out of the gates citing an incident in New Zealand last November when he slipped on jumping before recovering to be beaten a nose.

His height and length also present difficulties in the starting stalls so she is happy he has drawn the outside in the field of nine.

"He's not as heavy as Empire Rose but he is as big and as long," Laing said.

"It will certainly be a big advantage drawing out because A, he's not standing in the barrier too long and B, he's got options if he does miss the kick."

Giant mare Empire Rose, winner of the 1988 Melbourne Cup, only just managed to fit into the barrier stalls.

Punters have been quick to drop off Veyron.

He was sent out favourite for the Chelmsford but at $14 is the second outsider of the George Main Stakes field.

Betting is headed by Hawkspur who can deliver jockey Jim Cassidy his 100th Group One win.

– AAP

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