It’s the jewel in the crown of the Brisbane Winter Carnival, and we’ll be treated to another quality edition of the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
It’s almost always the most open betting race of the carnival and this year’s edition is absolutely no exception. At publish, we’re up with $6 the field in Stradbroke Handicap betting.
Stradbroke Handicap – Winner
No. 4 Eleven Eleven
He’s been one of mine for a while now, and Eleven Eleven is the one that I want to be with in the Stradbroke Handicap.
He’s been a star for the Greg Hickman stable since Pierata was retired, and Eleven Eleven has typically kept his best racing for the Sunshine State, recording an incredible three wins at the Magic Millions.
He has been very impressive in his two starts back this time, particularly when savaging the line for third in the Kingsford-Smith Cup a fortnight ago, and he is primed for his best on Saturday.
Stradbroke Handicap – 2nd
No. 5 Alligator Blood
Two weeks ago, I would have laughed at the thought but wowee, has the Gai Waterhouse polish seemed to have done a job on Alligator Blood.
The So You Think gelding was nothing short of outstanding during his three-year-old season, winning the Australian Guineas most notably, but he went amiss after he was moved out of the care of David Vandyke.
I couldn’t believe how good he was in his first start for Waterhouse & Bott in the BRC Sprint a fortnight ago and he will only be better second-up and out to 1400m.
Stradbroke Handicap – 3rd
No. 3 Apache Chase
He was a deserving winner at the highest level a fortnight ago, and I can’t find a reason why Apache Chase won’t be in the finish again on Saturday.
The Better Than Ready gelding is apparently incapable of running a bad race, and returned this time with a nice effort to finish second in The Archer, before beating a lot of these rivals in the Kingsford-Smith Cup a fortnight ago.
He’s another galloper that will only be better third-up and out to 1400m, and with appropriate luck early, he can give them something to chase.
Stradbroke Handicap – 4th
No. 18 Startantes
She was my early pick to win the Stradbroke this season, and while she is yet to live up to expectations, Startantes will have ideal conditions on Saturday.
The Star Turn filly went within a nostril of saluting in Group 1 company in Sydney during the autumn, and returned from a freshen up to finish an eye-catching fourth in the Victory Stakes.
Since then, she’s been pretty flat in a couple of weaker races, but I am going to give her one last chance in her grand final.
Stradbroke Handicap Suggested Bets
- 4 Units straight out #4 Eleven Eleven
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below