Stradbroke Handicap 2021 preview: Vega looks to be the one

This is my preview of the Stradbroke Handicap 2021.

Details
Eagle Farm Racecourse, 1400 metres, handicap, Race 8, 15:53 (AEST)

1. Mr Quickie (1)
W: 56.5kg
F: 6×3012
J: James Mcdonald
T: P Stokes

Group 3 winner two back then good from the back over the mile last start. Quality galloper and will be strong late. He’s a proven genuine Group 1 weight-for-age horse and with only 56.5 kilograms he’s well in. Definite player.

2. Savatoxl (13)
W: 55.0kg
F: 1×9116
J: Barend Vorster
T: T & C McEvoy

Raced on the speed before giving a kick and battling on okay here last start, before subsequently being deemed lame post-race. Group 1 Goodwood winner prior. This looks behind him and he’s had lameness issues leading into this again.

3. Tofane (12)
W: 54.5kg
F: 597×72
J: Craig Williams
T: M D Moroney

Comes into this primed third up and closed off hard in the Group 3 BRC Sprint. Can measure up in this, as was proven in the Group 1 All Aged in Sydney. Very well in at the weights considering he’s won one of Australia’s premier Group 1 weight-for-age races over this distance. Great value.

4. Imaging (17)
W: 54.5kg
F: 03×200
J: Tim Clark
T: C J Waller

Group 1 placing fresh then pulled up lame next start. Made late ground in the Group 1 All Aged last start. Can figure if he improved, which Waller can do in these big races.

5. Olmedo (18)
W: 54.5kg
F: 60×018
J: Ryan Maloney
T: Annabel Neasham

Led throughout to win the Listed Tails Stakes here two back then did not finish off in the BRC Sprint. Place at best.

6. So Si Bon (9)
W: 54.0kg
F: x51610
J: Blake Mcdougall
T: T Dabernig & B Hayes

Crowd favourite who was dominant at Caulfield two back then just held ground late in Group 1 last start. Ever consistent and while I’d be surprised if he won he always runs well and is one for exotics.

7. Wild Planet (15)
W: 54.0kg
F: 1910×2
J: Tommy Berry
T: M, W & J Hawkes

Enormous run in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 first up when chased home, Eduardo. Fitter and step to 1400 metres ideal. Keep in mind in that 10,000 effort he zoomed straight past Vega One, who is the race favourite and noticeably franked the 10,000 form winning the Kingsford-Smith. Big player with luck from the gate.

8. Niccanova (14)
W: 54.0kg
F: 622×10
J: James Orman
T: S P Tregea

Group 2 winner here two back and his Group 1 Kingsford-Smith effort enormous when wide. Cannot leave him out, big hope.

9. I Am Superman (3)
W: 54.0kg
F: 07×410
J: Kerrin Mcevoy
T: P & P Snowden

Too good for Think It Over in the Ajax then just a little one-paced in the Group 1 All Aged. Needs to take a step up but well drawn and does have overseas form that’d see him right in this.

10. Victorem (8)
W: 54.0kg
F: 0x3935
J: Mark Du Plessis
T: Ms J Graham

Looked a little unlucky not to have been in placings in the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith last start. Can sneak a placing, but it would surprise me.

11. Vega One (4)
W: 53.0kg
F: 4×6241
J: Ms Rachel King
T: T J Gollan

Exploded through the tight gap to win the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith last outing. He can complete the double. Drops a massive six kilograms for winning that Group 1 last start at this track. Weighted certainty as they’d say, and he’s a clear top pick and represents great value at the $6.50 currently on offer. Each-way bet to nothing.

12. The Harrovian (11)
W: 53.0kg
F: 111553
J: Glen Boss
T: A J & T Edmonds

Eye catcher late when finished in placings first up in the Doomben 10,000. Fitter and he is a tough gelding, very much the forgotten horse and can easily make it back to back wins in the great race for the owners-trainers combination.

13. Signore Fox (19)
W: 52.0kg
F: 0x1543
J: Ben Thompson
T: P & P Snowden

Looked set to win the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith when drove through inside at 100 metres but swamped late. Cannot dismiss. The best at odds in race. Include in exotics.

14. Emerald Kingdom (10)
W: 52.0kg
F: 231×81
J: Robbie Fradd
T: R L Heathcote

Gave nothing else a chance when led all the way to win Group 3 BRC Sprint last start. This step up I can’t see him finishing in the first three.

16. Subpoenaed (21)
W: 51.0kg
F: 60×172
J: Ron Stewart
T: C J Waller

Outstanding when placed in the Group 1 Sangster at Morphettville last start. Quality mare and will be in the mix, needs everything her way to win – especially in this grade but has no weight. However, the barrier concerns me.

17. Master Jamie (6)
W: 51.0kg
F: 31×390
J: Taylor Marshall
T: G R Green

Placed in a Listed company first up then has been well held in the last couple. Not sure he is Group 1 material but earned his spot so best of luck to him.

18. Apache Chase (7)
W: 49.5kg
F: 404121
J: Jim Byrne
T: Desleigh Forster

Controlled the race with sustained speed to win the Fred Best last start. No weight and may steal this from the front. Beat the boom horse Ayrton in the Fred Best, see how that form looks after Ayrton runs earlier on the day.

19. Outback Barbie (20)
W: 51.0kg
F: 929417
J: Jye Mcneil
T: T J Gollan

Listed winner two back then she was beaten less than two lengths in Group 1 last start. She can sneak into a place but she doesn’t go well at Eagle Farm and never has.

20. Amish Boy (5) emergency 1
W: 50.0kg
F: 223473
J: Ms Stephanie Thornton
T: C Maher & D Eustace

Caught the eye late when ran into the placings in the Fred Best last start. No weight and he will be competitive. Definite winning chance if he’s fortunate enough to get a run.

21. Blazejowski (2) emergency 2
W: 51.0kg
F: 615×30
J: TBA
T: G Eurell

Found Group 1 class a little beyond his last start when never close. Needs improvement to measure up, but in any case, it’s unlikely he’d gain a start.

15. Madam Rouge (16) scratched
Scratched 5:28PM, June 9

My selections 
1. (11) Vega One
2. (7) Wild Planet
3. (3) Tofane
4. (1) Mr Quickie
5. (12) The Harrovian

Suggested bets 
Vega One 1×3 at these odds.

Box top five picks in the first four. It should be a big pool.