2014 Stradbroke Handicap favourite Srikandi is assured of a start in the race after only 30 horses were included in the first acceptances for the Group 1 event that will be held at Eagle Farm on June 7.
Srikandi is certain to gain a start in the 2014 Stradbroke Handicap after the first acceptances were released this morning. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Connections of Srikandi elected to pay the $23000 late entry fee for the Stradbroke Handicap after she recorded her fifth straight victory in the Group 3 Glenlogan Park Stakes (1350m) at Doomben on May 24 and is now 12th in the order of entry with the feather weight of just 50.5 kilograms.
Another three-year-old that is now assured of a start in the Stradbroke Handicap is Phillip Stokes-trained Hucklebuck, who is set to contest the Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Hucklebuck returned from a stint in the spelling paddock, following his defeat as favourite in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 1, with a fourth place finish in the Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1350m) at Doomben on May 17.
Stokes said yesterday that he is expecting an improved effort from Hucklebuck in the in the Queensland Guineas this weekend, but revealed that the son of Elvstroem is no certainty to back-up in the Stradbroke Handicap a week later.
Dothraki will take on Hucklebuck in the Queensland Guineas on Saturday and is now certain to receive a run in the Stradbroke Handicap, if Gerald Ryan elects to press on to the Group 1 event with the talented three-year-old.
The Mossman colt started his 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival with a narrow win in the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) on May 3 and was far from disgraced when third behind Havana and Into The Red in the Fred Best Classic just under a fortnight ago.
Spirit Of Boom is set to carry the top-weight of 58 kilograms in the Stradbroke Handicap, following the withdrawal of Buffering, and will be joined in the final race start of his racing career by stablemate Temple Of Boom after the pair quinelled the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 last weekend.
Rebel Dane, Famous Seamus, Knoydart, Peron and Scream Machine are also a chance to back-up in the Stradbroke Handicap after running in the Doomben 10,000, while leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller still has classy mares Red Tracer and Catkins in the acceptances.
There were no surprises in the list of Stradbroke Handicap non-acceptors; with Group 1 winners Buffering, Platelet, Tiger Tees, Driefontein and Commanding Jewel all ruled out of the contention for the $1.36 million event.
