Stradbroke Handicap: Group 1 preview and tips

Stradbroke Handicap day has claims to be the best Australian race-day outside the Melbourne spring and Sydney autumn.

Certainly it’s the strongest day that isn’t held in either of the two powerhouse racing states.

The fields are usually deep and varied, three Group 1s and three Group 2s on offer, along with four other black type affairs. Having a public holiday on the Monday doesn’t hurt the mindset going into the day either!

The Straddy is its usual open affair, with any horse you like going to be at value odds.

The sticking point this year is that the favourite, Lumosty, is first emergency and can’t take her place unless a scratching occurs.

She’s always appealed as a Group 1 talent, notably eating up the ground behind Earthquake at her second start as a two-year-old.

She’s run in two Group 1s previously, the Thousand Guineas and Crown Oaks, starting favourite both times, as she will if she gains a run here. They’re the only two defeats she’s had in her last six starts.

If Lumosty doesn’t gain a run, there’s a host of others vying for favouritism.

Perth visitor Black Hart Bart has been firm in the market since his blazing fourth when stopping over in Adelaide for the Goodwood. He’ll get right back from his wide barrier and will be steaming home.

Charlie Boy was always going to attract attention off his Doomben 10,000 run. We all love the fast-finishing place-getter from that race, dropping significantly back to the handicap conditions.

Knoydart was a warm pick in last year’s Stradbroke off an eye-catching Doomben 10,000 run, and will jump around the same odds again after more of the same. He hasn’t won since February 2014 though, so it’s been a while between drinks.

Boban has the class, but also the weight to accompany it. He also has the form, storming home to take out the Doomben 10,000, appreciating the 1350-metre course first-up. Will he be looking for further now? He feels like one you can risk.

Godolphin hearts sunk when Generalife drew barrier 21, condemned to jump from the widest gate no matter what. Beaten a length behind Dissident in the All Aged Stakes, and then just shaded last start, those two WFA runs will hold him in great stead for this.

Delectation will be the only three-year-old in the race if Lumosty doesn’t get a run. He’s an honest horse that doesn’t always get the job done, but is usually somewhere in the frame, and capable on his day.

Srikandi was third as favourite in this race last year, and has been set for this race ever since. She returned in dominant style first-up, but either had excuses or disappointed at her next two starts, depending on what you want to believe. The jury is out, but she’s in the mix.

There were a few stragglers from the Doomben 10,000 also running in the Stradbroke.

Sacred Star was plain in the straight first-up from a spell after a couple of New Zealand wins, and has to find a few lengths. Temple of Boom was asked to do too much from a wide gate and couldn’t find. Big Money was never likely, and will also find this too tough.

Lord of the Sky comes over from the Goodwood. He’s been racing as well as any top level sprinter, but flopped at his only previous start beyond 1200 metres. His form is right, but is his stamina?

Smokin Joey failed in the Goodwood but that’s his way. It doesn’t mean he can’t turn it on this time.

Hot Snitzel is coming in off a month freshen, which the Snowden’s have worked out is when he’s at his best. He beat Knoydart at level weights in the BTC Cup, so is clearly a chance on that form.

Fast N Rocking meets Charlie Boy 3.5 kilograms better for a two length defeat earlier this campaign, and we saw what Charlie Boy did in the Doomben 10,000. The last 50-100m will be the test for Fast N Rocking in this grade, 1350 metres is absolutely as far as he wants it. He’s big odds if you think he can run it.

El Roca and Fontelina have struck a tough race to find form, although it will surprise no-one if they’re able to turn it around and figure in the finish. It’s that sort of race.

There isn’t huge speed on paper, and last year’s edition was an on-pace dominated race. This might play into the hands of Lord of the Sky and Srikandi, while the likes of Charlie Boy and Knoydart might look to sit a bit handier. Will Bowman take Generalife forward from the widest gate to take up a position?

Selections: 1. Charlie Boy 2. Generalife 3. Lord of the Sky 4. Fast N Rocking

The Group 1 Queensland Derby is also on the card.

Werther appears to hold all the aces after strolling away with the Eagle Farm Cup against some quality older horses off the back of a second place finish behind the outstanding filly Delicacy in the SA Derby.

His challengers are coming from traditional pathways, the Rough Habit and Grand Prix Stakes. There wasn’t much between Upham and Sadler’s Lake in those two races, each winning one of them.

Spur on Gold has been catching the eye going up in distance down in Melbourne, and we know Pat Carey can peak a stayer to perfection.

Is High Midnight for Bart and James Cummings ready for this grade after being found wanting in the Sydney autumn? Can Magicool run a yard over 2000m?

Redoubtable Heart, Chillin With Dylan and Worthy Cause might be the odds runners capable of causing an upset.

Selections: 1. Werther 2. Upham 3. Redoubtable Heart 4. Worthy Cause

The J.J Atkins Stakes for two-year-olds can produce a good horse, and after Brazen Beau and Zoustar in the last two years, keep an eye on a Chris Waller horse if it runs second!

Are there any horses of that quality in this year’s edition?

Waller does have an unbeaten colt running as favourite, but he usually likes to use the Sires Produce as a lead-up to this, while Press Statement has been doing his work in Sydney.

Counterattack is that horse for Waller, who hasn’t quite been able to get there in his two Queensland runs, but peaks now looking for the mile.

Peter Moody has a great record when aiming at non-Victorian Group 1 races, and saddles up Bassett, having only his second start after winning on debut at Caulfield. The horse he beat that day, Kinglake, has since won with authority in town himself.

Blueberry Hill and Look To The Stars are the market’s pick of the rest after putting in stylish lead ups in the Sires Produce themselves.

One of the fillies, Sagaronne, looks a great rough pick if looking for one to be eating up the ground late. The form around her has been pretty sound.

Selections: 1. Counterattack 2. Bassett 3. Sagaronne 4. Blueberry Hill