The feature race at Eagle Farm this Saturday is the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), where the market says it is an open race.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for 2026 Stradbroke Handicap.
2026 Stradbroke Handicap Runner Preview:
1. Fangirl: Class is going to carry her a long way. But, she has to carry the weight, and the rain is forecast during the week. If the track does dry out come race time, she’s a definite chance.
2. Rothfire: Thought the 10,000 win was a fluke, but he was actually good, and unlucky, in the Kingsford Smith. One for exotics.
3. Private Eye: He’s a big, big improver. Six weeks between runs leading into the Kingsford Smith and just knocked up late. Fitter, kind map again, he’ll run a beauty.
4. Another Wil: It’s looked a clear target race for Another Wil and he’s here, cherry ripe and ready to go for mine. He has performed well in the two key lead ups, firstly in the 10,000 before a game close up effort in the Kingsford Smith. He looks ready to rock and roll at 1400m, won’t mind juice in the track…only runs well.
5. Desert Lightning: Like him back in a handicap and up in trip, but not quite sure he’s up to these.
6. Sepals: DNP in the Kingsford Smith and suspect it’ll be rinse repeat from the draw.
7. Headley Grange: Had the A1 run in the Kingsford Smith and duly saluted. Flying, commands respect.
8. Transatlantic: Been sneaky good in two runs back, could spear across and lead, but the end of 1400m at this level might just see him out.
9. Yellow Brick: Horrendous in the Kingsford Smith. Pass.
10. King Of Roseau: Dangerous. Zero intent in the Kingsford Smith. Maps much better, like him in a handicap…a win wouldn’t shock.
11. Estadio Mestalla: Is Estadio Mestalla the forgotten horse? I think he is. I think he has been fabulous in two runs back, the latest in the Luskin Star when closing with real purpose from near last to run fourth. Blinkers back on, will settle on speed and he won’t know himself with 53.5kg on his back. He’ll run a beauty.
12. Warnie: I think he’s a knockout. Total forgive/forget in the 10,000, trialled super since and will want this track to dry out. If it does, he can win.
13. Von Hauke: Was good late in the Kingsford Smith but not for me here.
14. Splash Back: Was good late in the Kingsford Smith. Just needs things to fall into place.
15. Abounding: Scraped in to win the BRC Sprint. Class mare, but I’m against her.
16. Spicy Martini: Surely not. On paper, it’s pretty much a yes on all fronts. But, I just can’t have her.
17. Tuned: Racing very well but needs it easier.
18. Regal Award: Regal Award is a lunatic of a horse but clearly has an engine under the hood. That was seen in the Fred Best when keen in the run so Neindorf eased him three wide from the 1/1 for clear air and he was just too big and too strong. Confident he can measure up.
19. Sixties (First Emergency): If he gets a run, dangerous big time given he closed with purpose in the Fred Best from the back. Maps to settle much closer, he can win, if he gets a start.
20. Payline (Second Emergency): He looks tested.
21. Welwal (Third Emergency): Not up to these.
22. Cifrado (Fourth Emergency): Flying but this is a bridge too far.
23. Skyhook (Fifth Emergency): Talented horse but unlikely to gain a start.
2026 Stradbroke Handicap $100 Betting Strategy:
$100 Boxed First = 4.95% with numbers 1-2-3-4-7-10-11-18
Group l Strategy Outlay: $7200
Group l Strategy Return: $4927
2026 Stradbroke Handicap Speed Map
On paper, I can’t see much early pressure here. Rothfire maybe could press forward? Blinkers on, they’ll sit on speed with Estadio Mestalla, and despite drawing wide, I think Another Wil could get across pretty comfortably.
Stradbroke Handicap Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FANGIRL | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 11 | 56.5kg |
| 2 | ROTHFIRE | Robert Heathcote | Brad Rawiller | 13 | 56.5kg |
| 3 | PRIVATE EYE | Joseph Pride | Nash Rawiller | 4 | 56.5kg |
| 4 | ANOTHER WIL | Ciaron Maher | Ryan Maloney | 17 | 56.5kg |
| 5 | DESERT LIGHTNING (NZ) | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Luke Nolen | 5 | 55.5kg |
| 6 | SEPALS | Cliff Brown | Tim Clark | 21 | 55kg |
| 7 | HEADLEY GRANGE | Joseph Pride | Adam Hyeronimus | 8 | 55kg |
| 8 | TRANSATLANTIC | Tony Gollan | Tommy Berry | 18 | 55kg |
| 9 | YELLOW BRICK | Tony & Maddysen Sears | Jason Collett | 23 | 54kg |
| 10 | KING OF ROSEAU | Peter Snowden | Tom Sherry | 7 | 54kg |
| 11 | ESTADIO MESTALLA (IRE) | Joseph Pride | Chad Schofield | 10 | 53.5kg |
| 12 | WARNIE (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Declan Bates | 1 | 53.5kg |
| 13 | VON HAUKE (NZ) | Cliff Brown | Harry Coffey | 19 | 53kg |
| 14 | SPLASH BACK (FR) | Grahame Begg | Craig Williams | 12 | 52kg |
| 15 | ABOUNDING | Robert Heathcote | Tyler Schiller | 15 | 52kg |
| 16 | SPICY MARTINI | Toby Edmonds | Taylor Marshall | 2 | 51.5kg |
| 17 | TUNED | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Ben Thompson | 6 | 51kg |
| 18 | REGAL AWARD | Phillip Stokes | Luke Cartwright (a) | 9 | 49.5kg |
| 19e | SIXTIES | Chris Waller | Ms Jamie Melham | 3 | 51kg |
| 20e | PAYLINE | Chris & Corey Munce | 20 | 52.5kg | |
| 21e | WELWAL (GB) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Kerrin McEvoy | 22 | 52.5kg |
| 22e | CIFRADO | Rex Lipp | 14 | 52.5kg | |
| 23e | SKYHOOK | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | 16 | 50.5kg |
Stradbroke Handicap Odds
