The best race Queensland racing has to offer is the Group l Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) and the 2022 edition rolls around this Saturday at Eagle Farm in what shapes up to be a fascinating contest.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2022 Stradbroke Handicap.
Market 💰: View the Odds for the Stradbroke Handicap
2022 Stradbroke Handicap Speed Map
2022 Stradbroke Handicap Runner Preview
1. Private Eye: Wide throughout in the Kingsford Smith and made up some headway in a race not run to suit. I’m not a weights/measures cheerleader, but in this instance, I will be. I do think he’s really poorly in at the weights and I can’t entertain him.
2. Laws Of Indices: Set for the race. Off a freshen up when racing in the Kingsford Smith and was okay late after getting back in the run. The fact J Mac rides is significant and with the run under the belt, I am expecting him to run a very positive race.
3. Apache Chase: I’m keen to take him on. He was an all the way winner of the Kingsford Smith but he did get total control thanks to a peach from Jim Byrne and in another stride, he gets beat. Well done to all concerned getting his G1, but I think a testing 1400m sees him out.
4. Eleven Eleven: Eleven Eleven is flying for Greg Hickman. He was good late fresh in the Ortensia before going to the Kingsford Smith and really liked the way he warmed to the task late in the piece when a close up third to Apache Chase. He tends to save his best for Queensland and third up at 1400m looks such a good set up.
5. Alligator Blood: If you trust the BRC Sprint as a form reference, then he has to be rated as a winning chance. His effort after covering ground was absolutely enormous. If there is improvement to come, which you’d assume there is, then he’ll be hard to beat.
6. Soxagon: He’s in ripping form. Got a dream run in the BRC Sprint and drove hard late to win, securing his spot in the field. Clearly this is harder and he has been blessed in run this prep. He’ll need that again to be in the finish.
7. Emerald Kingdom: Wide no cover in the BRC Sprint and tired late. He did beat Apache Chase in The Archer so if you like that horse, then you have to give this guy some respect. Saying that, I doubt he threatens.
8. Wild Planet: Bungled the start and was never a factor in the Kingsford Smkth. If he brings his brilliant best, he can threaten, but the fact Pike jumps off tells me he doesn’t think the horse is going any good.
9. Rothfire: He hasn’t been far away, but I stand by my theory that he is gone. Had every chance last time but couldn’t get past Apache Chase. Can’t see him threatening.
10. I Am Superman: I Am Superman looks set up to run very well. Comses here with fresh legs, having not raced since the Victoria Handicap at Caulfield back on April 16 when down the track behind Ayrton. He does meet that horse 3.5kg better here, and for mine, the prep has been better for him to run well, and he saves his best for 1400m on firmer footing. Each way for me all day.
11. Ayrton: Another favourite I want to risk. Blessed in run when winning fresh. Then went to the Hollindale and he struggled to pick his feet up when down the track. Freshened up, back in trip, and I thought his tick over trial was plain. I’m really surprised he is favourite.
12. Bandersnatch: He’s under wraps for The Big Dance. He’s not good enough to measure up at G1 level.
13. Niccanova: I think he’s racing pretty well and is knocking on the door. I reckon the Eye Liner/Glasshouse would be perfect for him. Just don’t think he’s able to measure up in this race.
14. Buffalo River: He’s a wet tracker, he won’t get that here, so looking elsewhere.
15. Isotope: She was just fair in the Kingsford Smith after getting a suck run in transit. Better suited in a handicap…but how well is she going? I don’t think she’s busting down the door to win a G1.
16. Brooklyn Hustle: Each run this time in she has been smashed in betting…why I do not know. She gets back, she finds the line, she’s honest…just doesn’t win often enough.
17. Vilana: Got the A1 run in transit in the Fred Best and duly saluted. It wasn’t the strongest edition of the Fred Best and he was blessed in run, so I can’t entertain him.
18. Startantes: I’m very, very wary of Startantes, especially with 50kg. Her racing pattern is horrendous but more often than not, these three year olds run well in the Stradbroke. Just got a mile out of her ground in the Fred Best and was in restricted room in the straight. Her last 100m was nothing flash, but right down in the weights, good speed, she’ll launch late.
19. Scallopini (First Emergency): Far from disgraced in the Kingsford Smith but he’s similar to Niccanova. More so of an Eye Liner/Glasshouse horse.
20. Ranch Hand (Second Emergency): Ranch Hand…is he back? Jury was out on him but he turned up a few weeks ago here at this trip and he made a mess of them after getting a good sit off the speed with cover. He’s always promised to be a really good horse…is the Brisbane Winter where he can shine?
21. Flying Crazy (Third Emergency): Poor start and negative ride didn’t help his cause in the Fred Best. He should have finished closer but he’s not good enough to trouble these.
22. Tycoonist (Fourth Emergency): Tycoonist is knocking on the door to win again. Clear air, he wins the BRC Sprint two weeks ago but he had no luck in the straight and pretty much went to the line under a hold. If he was to get a run, I think he’d be right in the mix.
23. Frankie Pinot (Fifth Emergency): Wangoom winner who was very good late in the Goodwood, which can be a good form reference for this race. But, being fifth emergency, I highly doubt he gets a run.
2022 Stradbroke Handicap $100 Betting Strategy:
Group l Strategy Outlay: $7070
Group l Strategy Return: $11904.1
