Azkadellia remains the favourite for Stradbroke Handicap after 1st acceptances

Doomben 10,000 runner up Azkadellia remains the favourite for the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 11 after first acceptances were taken today.

Azkadellia, above, remains the favourite for the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Azkadellia, above, remains the favourite for the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Ciaron Maher trained Azkadellia is one of twenty-six sprinters remaining in contention for the Brisbane Winter Carnival’s feature sprint and is at the head of the market order at $4.40 with Ladbrokes.com.au.

The Shinko King mare was tuned up for the Stradbroke Handicap with a fast finishing second to Music Magnate in the Group 1 $750,000 James Boag’s Premium Doomben 10000 (1350m) at Doomben last Saturday and Maher was very happy in the way she pulled up.

“She had a couple of days at the beach and she just another easy trot and canter this morning and she seems quite well actually,” Maher told RSN’s Racing Ahead.

“On Sunday morning she seemed pretty well. She cleaned up her tucker.”

“I think it will bring her on actually. She probably peaked a little bit on her run and I think she will be pretty right. Eagle Farm will obviously suit her better and I think the run will only bring her up.”

“I could not have been happier with the way she hit the line and the way she has come through the race.”

“I think she will come on. She needed a good strong hit out like that and I think she should be pretty right in two weeks time all going well.”

Doomben 10000 winner Music Magnate is also among the first acceptances the Stradbroke Handicap and is listed as a $9 chance while third placegetter Charlie Boy is at the handy double figure odds of $26.

The Darren Weir trained Black Heart Bart is on the second line of betting at $5.50 and will carry the 58kg top weight for the Stradbroke Handicap after winning the Group 1 $500,000 Darley Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 21.

Also among the first acceptors for the Stradbroke Handicap are the Chris Waller trio of Counterattack, Delectation ($15) and Start Wondering ($34).

Hong Kong’s leading jockey Joao Moreira has been booked to ride Counterattack who is on the third line of betting at $7 with BTC Cup winner Malaguerra.

Hugh Bowman will also be riding at Eagle Farm on Stradbroke Handicap day and will take the mount on Malaguerra, replacing Glen Colless, who rode the Lee and Anthony Freedman trained four year old to victory in the Group 1 $500,000 BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben on May 14.

Early market order for the Stradbroke Handicap at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.40 Azkadellia, $5.50 Black Heart Bart, $7 Counterattack, Malaguerra, $9 Music Magnate, $11 Under The Louvre, $13 Kaepernick, $15 Delectation, Takedown, $21 Artlee, Hooked, $26 Charlie Boy, Precious Gem, Stratum Star, $34 Federal, Sacred Star, Star Wondering, $41 Nostradamus, Traveston Girl, $51 Charmed Harmony, $61 Big Money, Trubia, $81 Too Good To Refuse, Two Blue, $101 Echo Gal, The Virginian.

 

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.