Woorim's Oakleigh Plate defence almost didn't make it off the ground.

What was expected to be a routine flight from Brisbane to Melbourne on Tuesday night became a six-hour marathon before Woorim eventually walked into his Flemington stable.

"That plane very nearly didn't take off on Tuesday night," Woorim's trainer Robert Heathcote said.

"There was a technical fault with the cabin pressure when the plane was on the tarmac in Brisbane which caused a delay of a couple of hours and when it eventually arrived in Melbourne the plane was grounded."

Aircraft drama aside, Woorim is in ideal shape for the Oakleigh Plate, according to Heathcote.

"There will be plenty of pressure in the Oakleigh Plate. There always is," he said.

"This is why I think the two pre-post favourites Barakey and Shamal Wind could be vulnerable in that type of scenario but it will suit Woorim perfectly."

Barakey is striving to maintain his unblemished record and while Heathcote respects his ability he believes rival Queensland-trained sprinters Adebisi, Spirit Of Boom and Facile Tigre are genuine threats.

"There's no doubting Barakey has taken all before him in the west but for whatever reason people tend to underestimate the Queensland form," he said.

"They all have winning chances and I think it's a reflection of the depth of our sprinters."