A crack field has been assembled for the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) this Saturday at Eagle Farm.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 Stradbroke Handicap.
2024 Stradbroke Handicap Speed Map
I can’t see much speed here. The likely leader is Prince Of Boom despite being a query at 1400m. Mighty Ulysses will slide across from the wide gate and outside that, I can’t find much early speed.
2024 Stradbroke Handicap Runner Preview:
1. Bella Nipotina: Ripping mare who has done a super job this prep, especially in Brisbane, winning the Doomben 10,000 before being beaten a lip in the Kingsford Smith. She isn’t badly weighted really given her record and yes, the gate is awful, but she’s so damn genuine.
2. Magic Time: Got galloped on in the Kingsford Smith so she had a clear excuse for the failure. That said, I thought her trial leading in was average and just not sure whether she is looking for the paddock.
3. Antino: Been specifically set for the race and comes here cherry ripe. Great return, though somewhat flattered, when winning the Victory Stakes. He then went to the Kingsford Smith when far from disgraced behind I Wish I Win. Gate makes things tricky, but he has an engine and will be strong late.
4. Benedetta: Has she been the forgotten horse? Goodwood winner that hasn’t raced since that elusive G1 triumph, aided by a 12/10 from J Kah. Freshened up with this race in mind and her tick over trial was a lovely piece of work. Likeable.
5. Cepheus: I think he is completely binned by the market and I am somewhat surprised. He is a dry track only horse so he will get conditions to suit this weekend and I thought his recent trial win was a very good piece of work. Tricky gate, but will press forward, 1400m no issue…can’t work out why is the big price.
6. Vilana: If ever there was a false favourite, Vilana is it. Yes, arrogant win last Saturday in the Moreton Cup, but he has an awful record at 1400m+, he’s drawn awkward, the depth here is far greater…clearly talented, but for mine, he is far too short.
7. Here To Shock: Definite threat for mine. Yes, a surprise winner of the BRC Sprint but he was strong to the line in winning, he is a gun 1400m horse that maps perfect and is much better on a dry deck…a win wouldn’t shock at all.
8. Nugget: Has always threatened to win a good race but just hasn’t quite been able to get there. Luckless in the Scone Cup and will be strong at the end of 1400m. Just not 100% sure where he is at.
9. The Inevitable: I like this guy each way. He resumed three weeks ago in the BRC Sprint at Doomben where he got back to near last in the run from the wide gate and while he was never threatening, he did make up good ground and was enormous in defeat behind Here To Shock. Fitter and up to 1400m, firmer deck, bigger track, tumbles in weight…only runs well.
10. Amenable: Can easily make a case to say he should have won the Luskin Star at Scone but had zero luck in the straight. Not quite as dynamic on a dry deck, but stable has been super in Brisbane this Carnival and he’ll be launching late.
11. Prince Of Boom: Talented animal but not at 1400m.
12. Osipenko: I am not going to put a line through Osipenko. He resumed two weeks back in the Kingsford Smith where he was right nearer the inside, quicksand, and was never really a factor in what was pretty much a barrier trial behind I Wish I Win. Much better set up here, tumbles in weight…I think he can run a big race at a price.
13. Mighty Ulysses: Strange set up, freshened since the Hollindale over 1800m for this. Did a good job in that race, but how strong has that form been? Not overly, and the depth from his win the start prior is also very questionable.
14. Semana: On paper, was keen to back her with confidence, but her trial at Rosehill tells me her GF is the Tatts Tiara.
15. Dream Hour: Got his start via The Gateway so good luck to connections but he’ll struggle.
16. Steparty: I think this guy is clearly a forgotten runner in betting. Barrier trial in the Fred Best last time when drawn the carpark. Now he maps perfect, right down in the weights and hard fit, dry deck…gee I think he’ll only run well.
17. Stefi Magnetica: Stefi Magnetica is flying for Bjorn Baker and has to be respected. She resumed with a blinder in the 10,000 behind Bella Nipotina before going to the Fred Best where she had to make her run nearer the inside and that just took away her finale I thought when third to Roll On High. Right down in the weights, third up and hard fit, she appeals big time.
18. Roll On High: Gee she is short. Yes, winner of the Fred Best, but I thought she was given a 12/10 by Duric and found the A1 ground. Loses Duric for Will Price, who can barely ride a winner on the Ballarat Synthetic, and the depth here is far greater. Stunned she is as short as she is.
19. Freedom Rally (First Emergency): Shame he won’t get a run because he is flying.
20. Yellow Brick (Second Emergency): Just a winner of the Spear Chief last Saturday but not good enough to trouble these.
21. Strait Acer (Third Emergency): Not up to these.
22. Aureus Angel (Fourth Emergency): Barely runs 1200m never mind 1400m.
23. Cifrado (Fifth Emergency): Nice three year old but not up to these.
2024 Stradbroke Handicap $100 Betting Strategy:
$50 E/W The Inevitable @ $19/$6 with TAB.
Group l Strategy Outlay: $6925
Group l Strategy Return: $5739
2024 Stradbroke Handicap Odds:
1. Bella Nipotina (21)
J: Craig Williams
T: Ciaron Maher
2. Magic Time (9)
J: Michael Dee
T: Grahame Begg
3. Antino (20)
J: Vlad Duric
T: Tony Gollan
4. Benedetta (6)
J: Daniel Stackhouse
T: Jason Warren
5. Cepheus (15)
J: Tommy Berry
T: Matthew Dunn
6. Vilana (14)
J: Tim Clark
T: James Cummings
7. Here To Shock (1)
J: Regan Bayliss
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes
8. Nugget (10)
J: Jason Collett
T: Ciaron Maher
9. The Inevitable (8)
J: Craig Newitt
T: John Keys
10. Amenable (16)
J: Chad Schofield
T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr
11. Prince Of Boom (7)
J: Tyler Schiller
T: Robert Heathcote
12. Osipenko (11)
J: Mark Du Plessis
T: Chris Waller
13. Mighty Ulysses (18)
J: Damien Thornton
T: Annabel Neasham
14. Semana (22)
J: Dylan Gibbons
T: Ciaron Maher
15. Dream Hour (3)
J: Robbie Dolan
T: Kris Lees
16. Steparty (4)
J: Dean Yendall
T: Paul Preusker
17. Stefi Magnetica (19)
J: Zac Lloyd
T: Bjorn Baker
18. Roll On High (13)
J: Will Price
T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman
19. Freedom Rally (5)
J: Tyler Schiller
T: Tony Gollan
20. Yellow Brick (23)
J: Kyle Wilson-Taylor
T: Tony & Maddysen Sears
21. Strait Acer (17)
J: Unknown
T: Edward Cummings
22. Aureus Angel (2)
J: Unknown
T: Chris Munce