Godolphin pair on Stradbroke Handicap trial in BRC Sprint

The Darren Beadman trained Godolphin owned sprinters Federal and Handfast are both on the trial for the Group 1 $1.5m Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 10 when they step out at Doomben on Saturday.

Federal, above, is on trial for a start in the Stradbroke Handicap when he runs in the BRC Sprint at Doomben. Photo by Steve Hart.

Federal, above, is on trial for a start in the Stradbroke Handicap when he runs in the BRC Sprint at Doomben. Photo by Steve Hart.

Federal and Handfast are both acceptors for the Group 3 $125,000 Taxibox BRC Sprint (1350m) and a good performance by one or both of them could tempt Beadman to test them out at Group 1 level.

“Federal is on a Stradbroke mission and it isn’t out of the question that Handfast could also run in the same race,” Beadman said.

“All through his career Federal has been competitive at this level and his last run at the Gold Coast was a beauty from a wide gate.”

“Handfast has had a short break but trialled extremely well at Rosehill last week. We’ll make a decision on where we go next after Saturday, but if he ran well enough he could also go to the Stradbroke.”

Godolphin’s English retained jockey James Doyle has been recalled to rode at Doomben on Doomben Cup Day and will again partner Federal who drew barrier ten in the original draw but is already into nine with the early scratching of Savanna Amour who was to jump from gate six.

Doyle was aboard Federal two starts back for a sixth to Redzel in the Group 3 $150,000 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 15 and then Tye Angland took over for a third in the Listed $100,000 Australia’s Gold Coast Prime Minister’s Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast on May 6.

Handfast will jump from gate three with Brenton Avdulla to ride and has been freshened up since running fourth to Be Like Dad in a 1400m BenchMark 88 Handicap at Rosehill on March 25.

BRC Sprint top weight Jungle Edge has had a long tough Autumn campaign and after winning the Group 3 $150,000 E-Group Security Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on March 25 finished third behind Tivaci and Le Romain in the Group 1 $600,000 Schweppes All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on April 15.

Cranbourne trainer Mick Bell then took the six year old to Warrnambool where he ran fifth to Ulmann in the Listed $150,000 Wangoon Handicap (1200m) on May 3.

Kevin Forrester will again be aboard Jungle Edge who has moved into barrier eleven.

The Darren Weir trained Ulmann will also line up in the BRC Sprint and will jump from gate two with John Allen in the saddle while the Peter and Paul Snowden trained Snippet’s Land from barrier four with Hugh Bowman to ride will also be prominent in the betting.

The local’s will be cheering for the Robert Heathcote trained Hopfgarten who will need plenty of luck from the outside barrier in the BRC Sprint.

Ronnie Stewart will stick with Hopfgarten after the pair combined for a first up second to Music Magnate in the Group 2 $200,000 Ellyce Galvin Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm April 29.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.