Horse racing: Titanium draws Barrier 1 for Sunday's $1.15m Emirates Singapore Derby

SINGAPORE - Pre-race favourite Titanium has been handed a favourable draw ahead of the $1.15 million Emirates Singapore Derby.

The four-year-old will start the 2,000m race from barrier No. 1 in the 16-horse field on Sunday, after taking the prized spot at the post-position draw on Tuesday afternoon at Chevron House at Raffles Place.

Barrier 1 is considered an advantageous position as it is the shortest distance to the first bend at the Singapore Turf Club in Kranji.

Titanium has already tasted victory earlier in the opening leg of the three-legged Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge. It also won the $300,000 Stewards' Cup 1,400m race in May.

Trainer James Peters said: "I just took over the horse in April, and it'll be my first time at the derby. The competition is quite diverse, hopefully Titanium can reproduce its winning form."

Local-trained horse Well Done, which won the $500,000 Patron's Bowl 1,600m race last month, was pleased to draw an inside position, starting from Barrier 6.

Said trainer David Kok: "It's better to be on an inside barrier, it's a safe ground for us. I think we have quite a good chance. We were hoping to draw either Barrier 6 or 9. The last time when we won, we also started from around this position."

Emirates Singapore Derby Post Position-Draw:

Barrier 1: Titanium

Barrier 2: Mighty Warrior

Barrier 3: Smart Lad (E4)

Barrier 4: Believe Yourself

Barrier 5: Air Force One (E3)

Barrier 6: Well Done

Barrier 7: Gilt Complex (E2)

Barrier 8: Affleck

Barrier 9: Mr Spielberg

Barrier 10: Rockfast

Barrier 11: Blue Danube

Barrier 12: Newlands

Barrier 13: Majestic Moments

Barrier 14: Poseidon

Barrier 15: Winning Cause

Barrier 16: Bring Money Home

Barrier 17: Street Taipan

Barrier 18: Ares

Barrier 19: Zip A Dee Doo Dah

Barrier 20: Time Odyssey