Talented gelding Boban returned to the winner’s circle with an impressive performance in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) over the weekend, and has been allocated the topweight of 58kgs for the 2015 Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) on June 6th.
Boban has been allocated topweight of 58kgs for the 2015 Stradbroke Handicap. Photo: Steve Hart
Boban undoubtedly found career-best form over the 2013 edition of the Spring Carnival; posting five wins from as many starts including both the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m).
Taking a few runs to find his feet upon resuming in 2014, the Bernardini gelding charged home to win the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) but was subsequently unable to secure another race win until the Doomben 10,000.
Yet to decide whether or not he will accept into the 2015 Stradbroke Handicap with the five-year-old, Chris Waller is sure to be offered a leading chance for success in the feature race as some of the Rosehill trainer’s other potential runners were treated well in the weights.
Arguably the country’s leading racehorse yet to break through for a win at the highest level, Catkins remains in contention for the Stradbroke Handicap and will carry a very manageable 54.5kgs should she accept.
Returning this time for consecutive wins in the Group 2 Breeders’ Classic (1200m) and Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) before running a close second in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m), the Dubawi mare returned to winning form in the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) before again finishing second in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) most recently.
Three-year-old Delectation has proven his class on several occasions over the last 12 months and will be very hard to beat in the 2015 Stradbroke Handicap with just 52kgs.
Ending a strong spring campaign second to Brazen Beau in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m), the Shamardal gelding placed second in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) first-up and while failing to make an impact in his next two starts, returned to the winner’s circle in the Group 2 Arrowfield Sprint (1200m) on April 11th.
Carrying a race-high 59kgs to third in the Listed Ascot Handicap (1200m) at Doomben on Saturday, Waller has maintained that Delectation is his Stradbroke Handicap pick and will relish a step back over 7kgs.
2014 Stradbroke winner River Lad and Group 1 champions Hucklebuck and Lucky Hussler will carry 56kgs each should they accept into the June 6th feature.
Having won the Emirates Stakes at the conclusion of spring, Hucklebuck was unable to match the late pace in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) first-up a fortnight ago but is sure to take valuable condition from the run in the Stradbroke.
Returning this time for success in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m), Lucky Hussler was unlucky to be blocked for a run and sixth in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) on April 18th before failing to fire in The Goodwood.
Two-time Kiwi Group 1 winner Sacred Star and The Goodwood champion Flamberge will each carry 55kgs should they accept into the Stradbroke Handicap, while the likes of Lumosty and Miss Cover Girl will only have to overcome a race-low 50.5kgs should they make the cut.
