Srikandi’s devastating win at Doomben last Saturday has convinced connections to pay the late entry fee for the filly to run in the Group 1 $1.36m AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 7.
Srikandi to run in Stradbroke Handicap after winning the Glenlogan Park Stakes, above. Photo by Daniel Costello.
The Ciaron Maher trained Srikandi was not in the original nominations for the Stradbroke Handicap and a late fee of $23,100 is due on Wednesday May 28 for filly to be included in the field.
“We are definitely going to the Stradbroke,” Maher told Sky Racing.
“You don’t get a shot at a race like that with a light weight very often.
“You have to try to beat the handicapper.”
Srikandi made it five wins in a row and three since arriving for the Queensland Winter Carnival when she crossed from a wide barrier to lead all of the way to score a one and a quarter lengths win in the Group 3 $150,000 Glenlogan Park Stakes (1350m) against the fillies and the mares at Doomben last Saturday.
Last Saturday was the first time Srikandi raced over a distance beyond 1200m and with the ease of her win, the 1400m of the Stradbroke Handicap shouldn’t be a problem.
The 1350 was a bit of a question,” Maher said.
“But Glen reckoned she had another kick left in her.
“He will decide in the next 24 hours what he is going to do.”
Big race jockey Glen Boss has been aboard the Dubawi filly for her three wins in Queensland and as well as riding her to victory last Saturday, also won the Listed $150,000 Turangga Farm Silk Stocking (1200m) at the Gold Coast on May 3 and the Listed $100,000 Designline Graphics Juanmo Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on May 17.
But Boss is no certainty to ride her in the Stradbroke Handicap and will wait until the weights are released today before choosing between Srikandi and the Gary Portelli trained Rebel Dane.
Boss has also been the regular rider for Rebel Dane and rode the four year old into fourth place behind Spirit Of Boom in the Group 1 $650,000 James Boag’s Premium Doomben 10000 (1350m) at Doomben last Saturday.
Srikandi is the winner of six of her seven starts plus one second and has earned over $300,000 in prizemoney for her connections.
The Stradbroke Handicap market order at Ladbrokes.com.au has Srikandi the $4.60 favourite ahead of Rebel Dane at $6 and Doomben 10,000 winner Spirit Of Boom at $6.50.
The Chris Waller trained Catkins is marked at $10 ahead of stablemate Red Tracer who is on the same line of betting with Knoydart at $12.
