2017 Stradbroke Handicap Day Preview & Tips

2017 Stradbroke Handicap Day will take place at Doomben Racecourse on Saturday, following the BRC’s decision to move the meet from Eagle Farm.

Mackintosh and Counterattack will trade blows in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Doomben on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart

Mackintosh and Counterattack will trade blows in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Doomben on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart

All nine races on 2017 Stradbroke Handicap Day will be contested at black type level and we have analysed every runner in each, in order to help you find a winner.

The action on 2017 Stradbroke Handicap Day is set to get underway with the running of the Listed Daybreak Lover Stakes (1200m) at 11:20am and will conclude after the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2200m) is contested at 4:20pm

Race 1 (11:20am) Listed Daybreak Lover Stakes (1200m)

Fourteen three-year-olds will contest the Daybreak Lover Stakes on Saturday, including Tactical Advantage (barrier 13). Winning four consecutive races through summer and early autumn, Tactical Advantage ran third in the Listed Darby Munro (1200m), but failed to fire when eighth in the Group 2 Arrowfield Sprint (1200m) on Day 2 of The Championships. Having debuted in Brisbane for a smart win in the Harding Steel Plate (1200m) on May 20th, the Bel Esprit gelding should prove tough to beat. Main dangers include Heroic Valour (barrier 7), All Over Bosanova (barrier 3) and Calanda (barrier 9).

Tip: No. 2 Tactical Advantage ($3.90)

Race 2 (11:55am) Listed Hinkler Handicap (1200m)

A talented and capacity field of sixteen has been confirmed for the Hinkler Handicap and there is a case to be made for close to half the field. Group 1 winner Miss Cover Girl (barrier 11) failed to fire at her last start, but should enjoy a return to Doomben, while consistent mare Nancy (barrier 7) is drawn to get an ideal run in transit and has the notable advantage of Hugh Bowman in the saddle. Miss Gunpowder (barrier 10) has found excellent form this time and will carry only 54kgs, while Godolphin runner Mogador (barrier 19) will carry plenty of benefit into the race and is undoubtedly over the odds at his current quote. Quatronic (barrier 15) has also accepted into the June Stakes field in Sydney on Saturday and is not without a chance in this race, should he take his position in the field.

Tip: No. 11 Miss Gunpowder – Each Way ($5/$2.20)

Race 3 (12:30pm) Listed Wayne Wilson (1600m)

Ten runners remain in contention for Race 3 on Stradbroke Handicap Day; the Listed Wayne Wilson. Col ‘N’ Lil (barrier 6) was sold by her owners following her last-start win in the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1600m), but is now saddled by in-form trainer Toby Edmonds and will be ridden by leading hoop Jeff Lloyd. Elle Lou (barrier 8) has steadily returned to form since arriving in Brisbane and should be ready to peak in this race, while topweight Religify (barrier 9) is more than capable amongst this company, if he brings his best form to the track. Local hope I’m Belucci (barrier 10) tends to perform better in races when nothing is expected from him and he should be able to find a position close to the pace in this field. Alaskan Rose (barrier 2) will carry improvement into the race.

Tip: No. 6 Moher ($4.60)

Race 4 (1:05pm) Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1350m)

Fourteen fillies and mares will contest the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes; the final stop on the traditional path towards the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara. Madotti (barrier 13) is yet to show much through two starts this time in, but should be beginning to find the right form to figure in a race like this. Tycoon Tara (barrier 4) should relish the conditions of the race and is over the odds at her current quote, while French Emotion (barrier 8) carries winning form into the race. Godolphin filly Raiment (barrier 1) went somewhat amiss last start, but is arguably the class runner in this field and is more than a chance of returning to winning form in the Dane Ripper Stakes. Smart Amelia (barrier 10) has been strong and consistent this time and represents good value as an each-way option.

Tip: No. 1 Tycoon Tara – Each Way ($11/$3.50)

Race 5 (1:40pm) Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m)

Some of the Brisbane Winter Carnival’s best three-year-olds will be on show in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas, including Oak Door (barrier 14). Trainer Robert Smerdon was hopeful that the Commands colt would make the Stradbroke Handicap field, but he is undoubtedly the class runner in this field and should prove extremely tough to beat with Craig Williams in the saddle. Niccanova (barrier 12) is set to jump a clear race favourite after winning his two most recent starts and he should find a good position off the early pace from a wide draw. Interstate raiders Realing (barrier 8), Savvan (barrier 1) and Salsonic (barrier 11) are all live chances of posting an upset win in the race.

Tip: No. 2 Oak Door – Each Way ($7/$2.80)

Race 6 (2:20pm) Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m)

The first Group 1 race on Stradbroke Handicap Day will take place when fifteen two-year-olds descend on the mile course for the JJ Atkins. Melody Belle (barrier 9) was a dominant winner of the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1350m) a fortnight ago and appears as though she will only improve at a mile. Tangled won the Group 2 Champagne Classic (1200m) four weeks ago, but was caught up in transit last time and failed to run on. Kiwi raider Qiji Phoenix (barrier 15) will need some luck early if he is to figure from a wide draw, while classy local Capital Gain (barrier 5) was well beaten by Melody Belle last time out, but also appears as though he will enjoy a step up in distance into the JJ Atkins field.

Tip: No. 13 Melody Belle ($2.30)

Race 7 (3:00pm) Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m)

A capacity field of three-year-olds has been confirmed for Saturday’s Queensland Derby, including Volatile Mix (barrier 20). Breaking through for a maiden win at the highest level in the Group 1 SA Derby (2500m) on May 13th, the Pentire gelding ran a handy second in the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) last time out and is arguably the horse to beat in the Queensland Derby. Ruthven (barrier 9) finished fourth in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) and second in the South Australia Derby and has the notable advantage of Hugh Bowman in the saddle this weekend. Fontein Lad (barrier 2), Mongolian Wolf (barrier 4), Shocking Luck (barrier 5) and Violate (barrier 13) are all live chances at good odds.

Tip: No. 1 Volatile Mix – Each Way ($7/$2.95)

Race 8 (3:40pm) Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1350m)

The feature race has drawn some of the Brisbane Winter Carnival’s best racehorses and there is a case to be made for nearly every runner in the Stradbroke Handicap field. Clearly Innocent (barrier 20) stormed home to win the Group 1 Darley Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) last time out, but has been charged with carrying topweight and overcoming a wide draw on Saturday. Jungle Edge (barrier 7) has found career-best form this time and should have no issue taking up the running from an inside draw, while Burning Front (barrier 12), Counterattack (barrier 2) and Derryn (barrier 21) all carry terrific form into the race. Mackintosh (barrier 1) is yet to taste anything but success first-up and has the class to win this Stradbroke Handicap, while Ulmann (barrier 8) and Egyptian Symbol (barrier 13) are both live chances of winning the race.

Tip: No. 8 Mackintosh – Each Way ($8/$3.20)

Race 9 (4:20pm) Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2200m)

The final race on Stradbroke Handicap Day, the Group 2 Brisbane Cup has drawn a talented field of fourteen stayers this year. Single Gaze (barrier 14) flew home to win the Group 2 PJ O’Shea Stakes (2200m) last weekend and will be tough to beat once more on Saturday, while consistent local Rudy (barrier 12) is not without a chance in current form. Benzini (barrier 4) worked to the line well a fortnight ago and is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from the run, while Neverland (barrier 8) should also carry improvement into the race, following several competitive performances. Pemberley (barrier 6) has drawn ideally into the Brisbane Cup field in an inside draw and should prove tough to beat with only 53kgs in tow.

Tip: No. 3 Benzini – Each Way ($9.50/$3.20)

About The Author

Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.