More Joyous owner John Singleton has taken aim at trainer Gai Waterhouse over her controversial selection at the Cox Plate barrier draw.

While barrier draws are mostly lotteries, the Cox Plate draw sees the horse's name drawn out first before it's connections are asked to select a gate of their choice. More Joyous was the first horse drawn and in a move that shocked many in the racing world, Waterhouse opted for an outside barrier, 11. "I love Gai but this is bloody madness," Singleton told the Daily Telegraph.

"If this was a normal race and not the Cox Plate, the horse would be scratched and the trainer sacked!

"I instructed my racing manager Duncan Grimley to tell Gai to get barrier four to six if possible.

"Gai didn't need to pick that barrier. It's absolutely ridiculous, no one in the world thinks this is a good barrier."

Waterhouse claims the wide gate would give More Joyous more options at the start of the 2040m weight-for-age classic at Moonee Valley.

"The dye is cast now and we have got the barrier that last year's winner came out of," she said.

Singleton, who has a well-publicised dream of winning the Cox Plate, believes More Joyous now has no chance of taking the coveted prize.

"This isn't death, it is suicide," he said.

"It will be almost impossible for her to win now.

"The bookies aren't idiots, she is out to $13 and will probably end up $20 on raceday. I'm absolutely gutted - I doubt I'll even bother going now."

Waterhouse also trains three-year-olds Pierro, who is currently race favourite from barrier seven and Proisir who will jump from barrier 10.

Caulfield Guineas winner All Too Hard will jump from barrier three and resumes his long-running battle with Pierro.

Green Moon ridden by Craig Williams out of barrier five is currently second favouite, while Glenn Boss will be hoping to ride Ocean Park to its fourth straight victory out of gate nine.