Queensland’s Winter Racing Carnival (Stradbroke Season) begins on Saturday with a couple of G2 races.

The 3yos chase a lovely race in the G2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) which can also feed into those heading to the Queensland Derby.

Kovalica ($1.90) is an obvious candidate for that race after his Grand Prix success in December. He will face opposition from nice 3yos such as Brosnan ($11), Perfect Thought ($11) and The Fortune Teller ($6) along with fillies Renaissance Woman ($15) and Zoe’s Promise ($15).

It won’t be a large field for the big sprint in the G2 Victory Stakes (1200m) but there is plenty of G1 talent.

Private Eye ($2.50) is back in Brisbane where’s he’s run well before. Others of good note include Paulele ($11), Rothfire ($9) and King Of Sparta ($7).

The Listed Dalrello Stakes (1000m) provides the babies a starting point for the carnival ahead. Party For Two is resuming after a Blue Diamond campaign.

Sovereign Fund returns after the Magic Millions and Chris Waller sends an interesting colt north in Armed Forces.