The Tiger Army is in the first of two semi-finals in the three-year-old colts and gelding series. He has gate six, outside top hopes Private Eye and Jerulas Grin. Mach Dan, in gate one, is also high in the market for the race where the top five book a place in the $125,000 group 1 final.

Garaty believed The Tiger Army, trained by his partner Kylie Barnes, had struck the harder of the two semis but "those fourth and fifth positions are probably up for grabs a bit".

He was third and second in heats of the series at Tamworth and Newcastle.

Cessnock trainer Clayton Harmey has Big Black Diamond in the same semi and Major Bob in the other. Both have gate eight.

Garaty hoped the draw would work in his favour.

"There's a couple of handy ones underneath us, so that gives us a few options," he said.

"The one, Mach Dan, goes pretty good as well. He ran quick time in his heat, making up good ground, so it depends what he wants to do.

"They will be pushing forward I'm guessing."