"I'll even go to church on Sunday or do a chant dance"

HOPING he has used his bad draw allocation in the heat, Craig Turnbull is prepared to call on a higher entity for a favourable starting position in the Final if given the opportunity.

Discussing Hiranya's prospects in Saturday night's Victoria Derby heat at Tabcorp Park Melton, Turnbull declared he is "shattered" with the draw.

To be driven by Turnbull's daughter, Abbey, Hiranya received barrier six in the opening qualifier, with the gelding to slot into five with the removal of the emergency.

"I am shattered with the draw for Hiranya," Turnbull said. "It places him in a tough position from the outset.

"Do we go forward, burn up a bit of fuel and have to go for home early or drop back and give top ones a start, that's what we are facing from there.

"As long as he can finish in the top six and qualify for the Final I will be happy.

"I'll even go to church on Sunday or do a chant dance to ask for a better draw, barrier one maybe, in the Final."

Unbeaten from six starts since arriving from New Zealand, Hiranya's victories include the Tasmania Derby at his second outing for Turnbull.

"He is a high quality horse," Turnbull said. "He's tough and quick.

"He has run over 2600 metres before and just drops the bit and relaxing in the run, so the distance is no issue."

Turnbull will also be represented by Dangerzone in the second heat, with the son of Gotta Go Cullect to come from gate 10.

"I was happy with his first run for me when he finished third a couple of weeks ago," Turnbull said. "He needed the run and his work has improved since.

"Again the draw hasn't helped and he'll need a bit of luck."