Stradbroke Handicap 2015: Knoydart Could Be Scratched

Godolphin sprinter Knoydart is in danger of missing the 2015 Stradbroke Handicap after being found with a leg issue this morning.

Knoydart will be examined by Racing Queensland vets before he is cleared to contest the Stradbroke Handicap tomorrow. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Trainer John O’Shea and Godolphin foremen Darren Beadman were thrilled with the condition of Knoydart heading into the Stradbroke Handicap and rated the BTC Cup runner-up as their best chance in the Group1 event, but Racing Queensland Chief Steward Allan Reardon revealed this morning that the five-year-old would be closely examined before he is cleared to contest the $2 million race.

Knoydart has not recorded a race win since he took out the 2013 edition of the Hareeba Handicap, but he returned to his best form to finish second in the Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben on May 9 and he was arguably the run of the race when fourth in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) at the same venue a fortnight ago.

While there are question marks over the fitness of Knoydart, Godolphin are certain to have at list one runner in the 2015 Stradbroke Handicap in the form of Generalife.

Generalife started his autumn campaign with a win in the Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 28 and he was only narrowly denied after having little luck in both the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 18 and the Doomben 10,000.

Beadman told Racing Ahead this morning that Generalife has trained on strongly coming out of the Doomben 10,000 and he believes that the Lonhro entire will be at his peak for the Stradbroke Handicap tomorrow; with Beadman adding that the wide draw may not be an issue.

“He has drawn the outside, but he has done tremendous since his run,” Beadman said.

“John has just kept ticking him over.

“His run the other day was at weight-for-age and he meets Boban about four or five better.

“Hughie came in and said ‘maybe I just pushed the button a little bit early and in the last 50 metres he lengthened and his run had come to an end.

“I think that run will top him off well.

“He is a very, honest genuine horse.”

Generalife and Knoydart are both currently available at 2015 Stradbroke Handicap odds of $10 with Ladbrokes, while Lumosty ($4.60) is a clear favourite from Charlie Boy ($7.50) and Black Heart Bart ($9).

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.