A reversal in barrier fortunes has trainer Joe Pride confident Rock Sturdy can turn the tables on last-start conqueror Charlie Boy in the Doomben 10,000.

But whether that's good enough to win Saturday's Group One sprint is his question.

When the two met in the Group Three BRC Sprint over the 10,000 distance of 1350m, Charlie Boy started from barrier two compared to Rock Sturdy's 13.

Rock Sturdy was trapped wide without cover and the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Charlie Boy tracked him in the straight before pulling around him and getting to the line a half length in front.

This time around, Charlie Boy has barrier 16 of 17 while Rocky Study has gate four.

"I think if the barriers were reversed last time then it would have reversed the result," Pride said.

"I'm very happy with barrier four and think we can get the better of Charlie Boy from there.

"But whether that's enough to win a race like this is another matter.

"It's a step up for both of them."

After the barrier draw, Srikandi (5) displaced Our Boy Malachi (12) as favourite with the Melbourne mare at $5.50 on Friday.

Our Boy Malachi has drifted to $9 with Generalife ($6.50), Scissor Kick ($7.50) and Bring Me The Maid ($7.50) all supported in the past few days.

Rock Sturdy, to be ridden by premier Brisbane jockey Tim Bell, is at $15 and Charlie Boy $26.

A decade ago, the Doomben 10,000 brought up a milestone for Pride when Red Oog beat Our Egyptian Raine and Takeover Target to give the Sydney trainer his first Group One victory.

He has racked up another nine since but missed the chance to test Rock Study at the highest level in the spring when a leg injury ruled him out of the Epsom Handicap for which he was favourite.

The four-year-old is raced by Gooree Stud whose principal, Filipino businessman Eduardo Cojuangco, is a newly inducted member of Australia's Racing Hall of Fame.