The stage is set for a wide-open Stradbroke Handicap 2024 this Saturday at Eagle Farm Racecourse.
Group 1 winning mare Bella Nipotina heads the 2024 Stradbroke Handicap field and weights in Brisbane this weekend. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The $3 million Group 1 race (1400m) is Queensland’s biggest racing event, and this year’s edition promises to be a thrilling contest.
Tuesday’s barrier draw threw a wrench into pre-race predictions, with several top contenders landing unfavourable outside positions.
Godolphin‘s Vilana, currently the favourite at $5 through Ladbrokes, is a case in point.
The James Cummings-trained gelding is fresh off a dominant win in the Group 2 Moreton Cup (1200m) last weekend and appears well-suited for the slightly longer distance.
However, she drew barrier 14, adding a challenge for jockey Tim Clark to navigate.
Local hope Antino, initially the favourite, also faces a hurdle with barrier 20 (16 after scratching emergencies).
Despite the wide draw, Tony Gollan‘s star boasts a formidable record at Eagle Farm and thrives over the 1400m distance.
Ridden by Vlad Duric, he’s expected to be a major contender after a competitive sixth-place finish in the lead-up Kingsford Smith Cup at weight-for-age.
Ciaron Maher‘s Bella Nipotina, carrying the top weight of 56kg, is another horse to watch.
This consistent mare recently won the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) and narrowly missed out in the Kingsford Smith Cup when I Wish I Win turned the tables.
Partnered with Craig Williams, she offers good value at $12 in the latest Stradbroke Handicap betting markets.
The race for glory is further complicated by several other in-form horses.
Grahame Begg‘s Magic Time ($11) enjoyed a recent victory in the prestigious Sydney All Aged Stakes (1400m), while Amenable ($11) finished runner-up in the same race.
Jason Warren‘s four-year-old Hellbent mare Benedetta ($11), a recent Group 1 winner at Morphettville, also deserves attention after drawing a favorable barrier 6.
With the favourites facing challenges and a strong field of contenders vying for the top prize, the 2024 Stradbroke Handicap promises to be an edge-of-your-seat race.
2024 Stradbroke Handicap Field
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15×4542412 | BELLA NIPOTINA | Ciaron Maher | Craig Williams | 21 | 56kg | 117 | ||
| 2 | x5131x6718 | MAGIC TIME | Grahame Begg | Michael Dee | 9 | 55.5kg | 115 | ||
| 3 | 1x41220x16 | ANTINO (NZ) | Tony Gollan | Vlad Duric | 20 | 54.5kg | 109 | ||
| 4 | 1134×44131 | BENEDETTA | Jason Warren | Daniel Stackhouse | 6 | 54kg | 112 | ||
| 5 | 151120x00x | CEPHEUS (GB) | Matthew Dunn | Tommy Berry | 15 | 54kg | 54.5kg | 108 | |
| 6 | x56830x261 | VILANA | James Cummings | Tim Clark | 14 | 53kg | 108 | ||
| 7 | 22057×3121 | HERE TO SHOCK (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Regan Bayliss | 1 | 53kg | 106 | ||
| 8 | 3x404x7340 | NUGGET (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Jason Collett | 10 | 53kg | 106 | ||
| 9 | 3x287524x7 | THE INEVITABLE | John Keys | Craig Newitt | 8 | 53kg | 106 | ||
| 10 | x1564x2922 | AMENABLE | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Chad Schofield | 16 | 53kg | 106 | ||
| 11 | 11x094x463 | PRINCE OF BOOM | Robert Heathcote | Tyler Schiller | 7 | 52.5kg | 105 | ||
| 12 | 1x573030x9 | OSIPENKO (NZ) | Chris Waller | Mark Du Plessis | 11 | 52.5kg | 105 | ||
| 13 | 15x516x014 | MIGHTY ULYSSES (GB) | Annabel Neasham | Damien Thornton | 18 | 52.5kg | 105 | ||
| 14 | 215x21123x | SEMANA | Ciaron Maher | Dylan Gibbons (a) | 22 | 52kg | 108 | ||
| 15 | 4x171x45x4 | DREAM HOUR | Kris Lees | Robbie Dolan | 3 | 51.5kg | 86 | ||
| 16 | 1x113x3x68 | STEPARTY | Paul Preusker | Dean Yendall | 4 | 50.5kg | 103 | ||
| 17 | 1x12342x53 | STEFI MAGNETICA | Bjorn Baker | Zac Lloyd (a) | 19 | 50kg | 105 | ||
| 18 | 2211×64771 | ROLL ON HIGH | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Will Price | 13 | 50kg | 98 | ||
| 19e | x24121x324 | FREEDOM RALLY | Tony Gollan | Tyler Schiller | 5 | 51.5kg | 104 | ||
| 20e | 122x20x251 | YELLOW BRICK | Tony & Maddysen Sears | Kyle Wilson-Taylor | 23 | 51.5kg | 104 | ||
| 21e | 243×562248 | STRAIT ACER | Edward Cummings | 17 | 51.5kg | 102 | |||
| 22e | 11333x0x10 | AUREUS ANGEL | Chris Munce | 2 | 51.5kg | 96 | |||
| 23e | x40619x620 | CIFRADO | Rex Lipp | 12 | 50kg | 94 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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