Running first up from a spell, the two-time group 1 winner was a $21 outsider for Saturday's $14 million Everest at Randwick before the barrier draw, which was beamed onto Sydney Harbour Bridge after being officially held behind closed doors.

She firmed into $19 an hour after the draw following the suitable alley in the elite 12-horse field.

Jockey Brenton Avdulla was thrilled with the gate.

"I was a bit nervous to start with when I saw gates one and two come out," Avdulla told Sky Racing.

"Usually that means the next horse is going to draw wide and I was the next one, but I was very fortunate to draw a good gate.

"Pierata has drawn in close, she can cross him. Arcadia Queen, she can cross her and also Santa [Ana Lane], so to me, if she begins OK, she can be a bit positive and cross them, let the speed go and she can end up with a good run second or third pair and hopefully be right in the finish."

Earlier, Newcastle trainer Kris Lees said In Her Time had thrived in recent weeks.

The seven-year-old mare was second-up when seventh in the race last year on a heavy track but she will this year be the only first-up runner in the richest race on turf.

"Her first-up record's very good," Lees told Sky Racing.

"She's won her two group 1s both first-up. She's had a really good grounding to be ready first-up at 1200 metres and I can't be more pleased with how she's come on, probably more so in just the last few weeks. She's really thrived and her coat's just come right, so there's a few things to suggest she'll be at her best.

"Last year she came out of a really good first-up run, but that was two weeks before the Everest, and I think that may have just taken the edge off her.

"That said, the rain came and it probably blew hers and a number of horses' chances. The likelihood of firm ground on Saturday probably plays in her favour, along with a few others."

He said gaining the Inglis slot for the Everest in May was "very important".

"That gave us that luxury of having her ready first-up," he said. "I dare say I would have had to expose her before now to try and get a slot and that may have backfired in some way. I'm very grateful to Inglis ... and hopefully she can repay them on Saturday."

Draw: 1. Pierata, 2. Santa Ana Lane, 3. Arcadia Queen, 4. In Her Time, 5. Trekking, 6. Sunlight, 7. Redzel, 8. Classique Legend, 9. Yes Yes Yes, 10. Alizee, 11. Ten Sovereigns, 12. Nature Strip.

AAP: Santa Ana Lane remains the favourite for the $14 million Everest after drawing barrier two in the sprint at Randwick.

The Anthony Freedman-trained Santa Ana Lane is at $4.40, shading Pierata who is at $4.80 and will start from gate one in Saturday's rich race.

Nature Strip has drawn the outside in the 12-horse field and is expected to go forward and be the one to inject the pace into the race.

He has eased from $18 to $26 amid doubts about his ability over 1200 metres.

One-time favourite Arcadia Queen is at $5.50 and starts from barrier three.

Irish horse Ten Sovereigns will start from barrier 11 as he tries to give trainer Aidan O'Brien another international victory.

The barrier draw was conducted by Racing NSW stewards on Tuesday afternoon and revealed In a stunning light show with the the horses' racing colours and barrier numbers projected on to the southern pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.