Tony Pike is happy enough with Ever Loyal’s barrier draw of 10 in this weekend’s Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie.

“There should be plenty of speed on Saturday evening so we’ll ride him where he’s comfortable,” the Cambridge trainer said.

“With Jason (Waddell) suspended, Leith Inness will ride him.”

The connections of the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner Hasahalo weren’t so happy when they were handed gate 15.

“The draw makes it tough and we’ll probably get further back than we would have wanted to,” said Matt Allnutt, racing manager for syndication company Go Racing.