Bivouac winning the Newmarket Handicap (Image: Racing Photos)
Bivouac and his supporters are all too familiar with the pitfalls of drawing barrier one in a Group 1 sprint race at The Valley ahead of Friday's $500,000 Keogh Homes William Reid Stakes (1200m).
It was only last October that he finished sixth in the $1 million G1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) after being denied clear galloping room in the straight.
WATCH: 2019 Manikato Stakes
But Bivouac isn't alone in being toppled from the inside alley when expected to succeed at the elite level.
The past three favourites that have drawn barrier one in 1200-metre G1 races at The Valley have not only lost but they've also been unplaced.
Bivouac's luckless defeat in the Manikato was proceeded by Chautauqua battling into seventh in the 2016 Manikato and Buffering fading after leading for sixth in the same race four years earlier.
WATCH: 2016 Manikato Stakes
The past three favourites to win from The Valley's inside barrier over a sprint trip at G1 level have all led throughout - Hay List and Sepoy each defeated seven rivals in the 2010 and 2011 Manikato Stakes respectively, while Nature Strip staggered over the line in last September's Moir Stakes (1000m).
Bivouac is almost certain to not be afforded that luxury with four-year-old mare Pippie expected to lead from barrier 10 of 11 after leading throughout in the G1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) last start.
Bivouac could be crossed further by Scales Of Justice from barrier three, but given the lack of on-pace runners in the field and the likely pace generated by Pippie to speed to the front, Bivouac's rider Hugh Bowman may have the opportunity to maneuver clear of the inside rail inside the first 200 metres.
BetEasy has Bivouac as $2.40 favourite for the William Reid ahead of fellow three-year-old rivals Loving Gaby ($5.50) and Exceedance ($7).
FAVOURITES DRAWN INSIDE GATE THREE IN MV/1200m G1s SINCE 2010:
1-8 Hay List (1) in 2010 Manikato at $1.50 (led, hung on bend but too good);
1-8 Sepoy (1) in 2011 Manikato at $1.80 (tardy, kicked up to lead, pressured, found plenty);
6-10 Buffering (1) in 2012 Manikato at $2.60 (led, pressured mid-race, faded);
2-5 Lankan Rupee (2) in 2014 Moir at $1.55 (co-led outside Buffering, gave all, just missed);
1-10 Chautauqua (2) in 2015 Manikato at $2.45 (sat last, flew late to score);
7-10 Chautauqua (1) in 2016 Manikato at $2.45 (slow out, stayed near rail in best ground and got warm late);
3-12 Star Turn (3) in 2017 William Reid at $4 (stalked speed, not best ground and gave all);
5-9 Vega Magic (2) in 2017 Manikato at $2 (lethargic throughout, crossed at start, co-led and didn't find under pressure); and
6-11 Bivouac (1) in 2019 Manikato at $1.80 (three back on rail, blocked for run mid-straight when threatening).