Black Heart Bart topweight for 2016 Stradbroke Handicap

Last start Group 1 winner Black Heart Bart has been allocated the top weight of 58kg for the 2016 Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) to be run on the newly reconstructed Eagle Farm track on June 11.

Black Heart Bart will carry the top weight in the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm. Photo by Jenny Barnes.

Black Heart Bart will carry the top weight in the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm. Photo by Jenny Barnes.

The weights for the Stradbroke Handicap were released today with Chris Waller’s Group 1 winner Delectation the next in the weights at 57kg with Black Heart Bart’s stalemate rtratum Star to carry 56.5kg in the Brisbane Winter Carnival’s feature sprint.

The former West Australian trained Black Heart Bart has been ultra-consistent since joining the Darren Weir stable with two wins and two seconds form four starts and is currently the second favourite for the Stradbroke Handicap at $5.50 with Ladbrokes.com.au.

Weir had no hesitation in sending Black Heart Bart to Brisbane for the Stradbroke Handicap after the five year old beat Under The Louvre and Supido in the Group 1 $500,000 Darley Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 21.

Prior to his win at Morphettville, Black Heart Bart was a first up second to The Quarterback in the Group 1 $1.25m Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 12 as well as a second two starts back to English in the Group 1 $600,000 Schweppes All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on the last day of the Sydney Autumn Carnival.

Stradbroke Handicap $4.60 favourite Azkadellia has been allocated 54.5kg and the Ciaron Maher trained mare showed that she is on track 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.

Doomben 10000 winner Music Magnate was allocated 55.5kg and is also shaping as a genuine chance for the Stradbroke Handicap and has firmed in to be a $9 after Saturday’s win.

The Lee and Anthony Freedom trained Malaguerra has been given 56kg and confirmed his high Stradbroke Handicap ranking when he won the Group 1 $500,000 BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben on May 14 and shares the $9 line with Music Magnate.

Trainer Bjorn Baker said that the stable had taken their time with Music Magnate as a young a horse and their patience was rewarded with a Group 1 win.

“He has taken time. As a two year old he didn’t show me too much but he continued to improve,” Baker said.

Waller still has several sprinters in contention for the Stradbroke Handicap and as well as Delectation ($15), has the lightweight chance Counterattack who is marked at $8 and will only have to carry 52.5kg and is exempt free from the ballot after winning the Group 3 $125,000 Sky Racing Fred Best Classic (1350m) at Doomben on May 23.

Others Waller horses still among the Stradbroke Handicap’s first acceptances are Japonisme ($17), 55kg, Amicus ($51), 52.5kg, Amovatio ($34) and Strawberry Boy ($61) with 53.5kg, Religify ($31) and Heart Testa ($101) with 52kg and Sir Bacchus ($21) with 50.5kg.

The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Charlie Boy ($26) ran an improved race when third in last Saturday’s Doomben 10,000 and has been allocated 54.5kg for the Stradbroke Handicap.

Stablemate Dothraki has been given the same weight following his nose second to Malaguerra in the BTC Cup and a fifth in the Doomben 10,000, but is a likely non-runner for the Stradbroke Handicap.

The John O’Shea trained Ghisoni couldn’t have been more impressive in winning the Group 3 $150,000 Glenlogan Park Stakes (1350m) at Doomben last Saturday and one of the top fancies on the third line of betting at $6.50, but the Godolphin trainer is still undecided if she will take her place in the Stradbroke Handicap field with 50.5kg.

Early market order for the Stradbroke Handicap at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.60 Azkadellia, $5.50 Black Heart Bart, $6.50 Ghisoni, $8 Counterattack, $9 Malaguerra, Music Magnate, $11 Under The Louvre, $15 Delectation, Takedown, $17 Japonisme, Kaepernick, Artlee. $18 Miss Promiscuity, $21 Danish Twist, Supido.

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.