The barrier draw for the Group 1 $1.5 million TABtouch Northerly Stakes (1800m) has favoured most of the leading fancies, with the top five in betting holding their order following the allocation of gates.

Barrier one has been responsible for an incredible five of the last ten winners of the event, with $4.60 co-favourite Storyville coming up with the pole position.

Her fellow market leader Democracy Manifest was much better served than his awful Railway Stakes alley in gate two, while $5 hope Attrition (five) and $7 chance Super Smink (six) also fared particularly well.

Four-year-old Super Smink, who began from gate 15 in the Railway, was the eye-catcher of the opening Group 1 of the Pinnacles when roaring home from last on the turn to get within a length of Port Lockroy.

Trainer Dan Morton was understandably relieved post-draw, with the mare drawing the outside or close to in three of her four runs this campaign.

“She’s got a bit of a racing pattern now and she did get back and rattled home. Who knows, you draw a better marble, you might win the race,” Morton said.

“But we’ve drawn a good gate this week and we’ll give it a good shot.

“She drew a good gate when she won and all the others were outside gates, so she’s been forced back further than she needed to be in running a few times, but I’m confident that she’s going as good as ever.

The $1 million earner will face a new challenge this week in her first attempt at a distance greater than a mile.

But Morton says he’s always believed she would appreciate the extended distance.

“I’ve never wavered from it, to be honest, I was confident then she’d run it out,” Morton said.

“After reviewing all the work that went into that preparation which I do consistently, I felt she probably wasn’t seasoned enough for the mile at that point.

“But I’m very confident she’s at that point now.”

“We’re in a maintenance gallop mode at the moment - these horses are very fit now at the end of their preparation – but I did like what I saw this morning.

“This whole prep has been seamless so far and I was very confident in all the races leading in this time around.”

Morton hinted that filly Storyville could prove hardest to toss, with Grant and Alana Williams seeking their fifth win in the race since 2015, but remained adamant Super Smink would take stitching.

“I’d like to think (I’ve got the horse to beat) but I’m never over the top about anything, really.

“There are a number of chances. Obviously luck in running plays a big part and three-year-olds have got a very good record, but I couldn’t be happier with our mare going in.”