Stradbroke Handicap Tips - Runner-by-Runner Guide for the Eagle Farm Group 1
- Runner-by-Runner Guide to Stradbroke Handicap
- Who will take out the Eagle Farm Group 1?
- Top four picks: Semana (1st), Stefi Magnetica (2nd), Roll On High (3rd) and Amenable (4th).
The Stradbroke Handicap is run over 1400m at Eagle Farm racecourse on Queensland’s premier day of racing during the winter carnival.
The Group 1 event was first run in 1890 and has been won by some good local horses as well horses from interstate including Rough Habit (1991,92), Dane Ripper (1997) and Alligator Blood (2022).
We’ve run through every runner in this year’s edition and offer our thoughts and top four selections below.
1. Bella Nipotina (21)
She’s just an incredibly consistent race mare who has finished in the top four in seven of her eight starts so far this campaign.
The daughter of Pride Of Dubai passed the $10 million in prize money mark with her second in the Kingsford Smith Cup which is remarkable given she has won just twice at Group 1 level.
There is no reason why she won’t be factoring in the finish yet again despite the fact she is being asked to carry the top weight and has drawn the car park.
2. Magic Time (9)
Won her second Group 1 on a bog track at Randwick at the end of the autumn carnival on a day that was abandoned straight after that race.
Had six weeks in between runs before finishing well down the track in the Kingsford Smith behind I Wish I Win where she didn’t finish off at all.
She’s been incredibly consistent but it’s hard to back her off that performance.
3. Antino (20)
Was the favourite in early betting having won nine of 14 heading into this prep and he couldn’t have started the campaign any better when taking the rails run and scoring impressively first up.
He was beaten over four lengths in the Kingsford Smith but he was not suited at set weights and drops 4.5kgs from that race into this.
The son of Redwood is clearly a talented horse and while he’ll be better over 2000m in my opinion, he’s right in this if he rates to his potential.
4. Benedetta (6)
Comes into this race off the back of her biggest win in the Group 1 Goodwood in Adelaide last month.
That was the eighth win of her 15 start career and she’s had a trial in between runs to tick her over.
She’s better suited to mares grade but it would take a brave punter to say she couldn’t win this from a good draw in barrier six.
5. Cepheus (15)
This Matt Dunn trained seven-year-old was well beaten in both runs during his last campaign during the autumn and has just one win from five first up attempts.
Would be a huge training effort to win this fresh.
6. Vilana (14)
Rocketed into consideration with a dominant win last weekend, beating Mazu by almost four lengths here at Eagle Farm.
It had been a while in between wins for the but he’s a horse that always gives his honest best and I love the quick back up.
7. Here To Shock (1)
Has won twice at Group 3 level in four runs this campaign including a narrow win over Freedom Rally at Doomben a couple of weeks ago.
Six of his nine wins have been at this distance and with luck in running he could fill a place at a big price.
8. Nugget (10)
The Australian Bloodstock owned horse is capable of producing a rating that is good enough to mix it at this level and he has placed twice before at the top level.
Was beaten less than a length in the Doncaster during the autumn and he is another that wouldn’t surprise if he filled a place at a big price with just 53kg.
9. The Inevitable (8)
Was once a winning machine having been really well placed during his career but it has been a while in between wins now.
Has won six from 10 at this distance but has also had six goes at Group 1 level without a place.
10. Amenable (16)
Was gelded leading into this campaign and there were good signs early but he has failed to win.
He has been runner up in three of his last four including in the All Aged where he was beaten half a length by Magic Time but he has drawn a horrible barrier for this contest.
If he gets some luck at the right time he is capable of featuring in the finish.
11. Prince Of Boom (7)
Ron Heathcote saddles up this dual Group 2 winning son of Spirit Of Boom and he comes into this off the back of a third behind Here To Shock at Group 3 level.
Drawn to get a nice run in transit but is probably a level down from these.
12. Osipenko (11)
This Chris Waller trained horse has promised the world and delivered a map so far during his career and sucked in many punters with some flashing runs.
He’s simply not one of mine but the booking of Mark Du Plessis is an advantage, as is the 52.5kg.
13. Mighty Ulysses (18)
Was transferred from England into the care of Anabel Neasham for this campaign and while he finished 10 lengths off them in his Australian racing debut he dropped right back in grade to score impressively at Eagle Farm in his next outing.
Finished fourth in the Hollindale before the stable elected to bring him back in trip to tackle this event and drops 6.5kgs from that race.
14. Semana (22)
Absolutely love this mare because she consistently gives her all in her races and she has placed in nine of her last 10 starts.
Ciaron Maher has placed her really well and although she regularly tackles her own sex, she has finished in the top two in all six of her starts at this distance.
With no weight on her back, she’s won that is well over the odds.
15. Dream Hour (3)
Won Australian Bloodstock a spot in the race back in December and will take his placed despite failing to place in his last three.
He hasn’t been beaten far in those three starts and has drawn to get a nice run in transit from barrier three.
16. Steparty (4)
Started off his racing career by winning his first five race starts before finishing third in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas behind Griff.
His two runs this prep haven’t been up to his lofty heights and despite a light weight, I have concerned if he’s up to winning a race of this quality.
Blinkers go on.
17. Stefi Magnetica (19)
Was excellent when storming home along the rails in the Doomben 10,000 behind Bella Nipotina where she wasn’t suited under those conditions.
Dropped back to her own age and while she was a little disappointing as favourite, still managed to place behind Roll On High.
The drop to 50kg is huge for her and while she’ll need luck from barrier 19, she’s a knockout hope.
18. Roll On High (13)
Produced the third win of her nine start career two weeks ago against her own age and all three of them have been at this distance.
Peter Moody has always had a big opinion of this filly and she is another that could be peaking at the right time.
Verdict
SELECTIONS
1st: No. 14 Semana
2nd: No. 17 Stefi Magnetica
3rd: No. 18 Roll On High
4th: No. 10 Amenable
1st: No. 14 Semana
2nd: No. 17 Stefi Magnetica
3rd: No. 18 Roll On High
4th: No. 10 Amenable
Semana
Each-Way
@20/1 - 2 Units
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