Trainer Luke Griffith will rely on the consummate skills of champion jockey Greg Ryan to overcome a horror barrier draw with Amores Del Sabados at Gunnedah on Saturday.

The five-year-old mare drew barrier 16 in the Gunnedah Toyota Class 1 Hcp (1400m) with 17 acceptors which will be reduced to 14 at start time.

Griffith admitted normally he would have scratched the mare but it was at the owner’s insistence he starts.

“The owners all come from around Gunnedah and they want to see her race,” Griffith said. “The bad barrier is a big concern.

“We’ll push forward and it will be up to Greg to hopefully find a decent possie. He knows the horse and knows Gunnedah.

“It’s the right race for her. It’s just a shame about the barrier.”

This is Griffith’s first preparation with the daughter of American stallion Any Given Saturday.

She is raced on lease by the current owners headed by cattle breeder, Mark Warmoll. Trainer Mark Sues, the owner of the mare, is also involved.

Amores Del Sabados began her career with Gai Waterhouse in Sydney where she had two trials but didn’t race before being transferred to Sues then onto Griffith following a 50-week spell.

The mare broke her maiden status two runs back recording a five length easy win over 1400m at Tamworth on November 17.

She then backed up a week later finishing two lengths third to the promising King Of England and Parmelia in a strong 1400m Class 1 handicap at Scone.

“She pulled up well after her last run,” Griffith said. “She’s a big strong horse but she hasn’t got the best of legs. She’s a bit offset in the knees with turned in feet.

“I don’t do a lot with her on the track. She does a lot of swimming and slow work on the sand to keep her up to the mark.

“Because she’s a heavy gross type we just try and keep the beef off her. She’s a very good doer.

“I think she’s at her peak now. She’s doing very well at the moment.”