Sydney mare Red Tracer is firming as a potential Stradbroke Handicap runner as trainer Chris Waller expands his winter options for the Group One placegetter.
Red Tracer confirmed a Brisbane carnival campaign after a Hawkesbury barrier trial win on Monday and Waller may bring her return to racing forward to accommodate a suitable lead-up to the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 9.
Waller has nominated Red Tracer for an open handicap at Rosehill on Saturday and with a 108 handicap rating she will be a clear topweight for the 1100m race.
The four-year-old is one of 16 nominations at Rosehill and Waller said he would be prepared to use a claiming apprentice to off-set her impost if she ran.
“The original plan was to run her in the Dane Ripper Stakes and then the (Group One) Tattersall’s Tiara,” Waller said.
But an analysis of the 109 Stradbroke entries has Waller leaning towards $1 million sprint as a preferred Group One target for the mare.
“The thinking is the field might be a bit weaker this year and we’d like to have a crack at the Stradbroke if it’s possible,” Waller said.
Red Tracer has 53kg in the Stradbroke – 4kg under weight-for-age.
At No. 11 in the latest ballot order released on Monday, Red Tracer is assured of a Stradbroke start if Waller chooses to head towards Brisbane’s richest race.
She is a $23 Stradbroke chance in a TAB Sportsbet market dominated by Sydney three-year-olds Mental ($7), Sea Siren ($8) and Pampelonne ($9).
Red Tracer, placed in last year’s Group One Epsom Handicap, had mixed fortunes in a four-start autumn preparation.
Her Millie Fox Stakes victory was followed by two unplaced Group One runs in the Coolmore Classic and Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
Stablemate Tromso has also been entered for Saturday’s sprint while Joe Pride has nominated last-start winner Falzzon and first-up placegetters Recorrido and See The World.
