Stradbroke Handicap - 2021 tips, preview and runner by runner

2021 Stradbroke Handicap Race Details

Race 8 at Eagle Farm on Saturday 12 June 2021.

The Stradbroke Handicap is a 1400 metre handicap race run by the Brisbane Racing Club at Eagle Farm. It is held during June and is the richest race of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival.

You can read more about the race history, lead-up races and past winners on the Stradbroke Handicap page.

Stradbroke Handicap 2021 Preview

Track: Good Weather: Fine

Following the early scratching of Madam Rouge there is a full field of 18 runners plus 2 emergencies for the $1,500,000 Stradbroke Handicap including five horses that have already won at Group 1 level. Eight of the runners had their last start in the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup over 1300m on 29 May, four in the Group 3 BRC Sprint over 1350m on 22 May, two in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 over 1200m on 15 May, two in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes over 1400m on 24 April and two in the Group 3 Fred Best Classic over 1400m on 29 May. Runners range in age from three to seven-years old with 13 geldings, three mares, three horses and a colt. Chris Waller still has two runners (in barriers 17 and 21) after one was scratched, and Tony Gollan and the Snowdens both have two runners.

The betting is wide open and the early favourite is the Tony Gollan-trained five-year-old Vega One who ran 4th in this race last year. He was a strong winner of the Kingsford-Smith Cup a fortnight ago and will carry 6kg less. Second favourite is Wild Planet who was 0.4 length 2nd in the Doomben 10,000 last start when first-up and drops 4.5 kg from that run. Third favourite is The Harrovian who ran 3rd in the Doomben 10,0000 at his first race at Group 1 level and will carry 5.5 kg less.

The topweight Mr Quickie finished 2nd in the VOBIS Gold Mile at Caulfield last start under the big weight of 61kg. Tofane ran on late for 2nd in the BRC Sprint last start. Three-year-old Apache Chase was the winner of the Fred Best Classic last outing to give him his 5th win from 13 starts. Victorem goes well at this track and finished a length 5th in the Kingsford-Smith, while Niccanova finished 1.9 lengths 10th. Subpoenaed chased well for runner-up in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville last start, while Imaging returns from a 7 week let-up after 10th in the All Aged Stakes. All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

2021 Stradbroke Handicap Runner by Runner

1. Mr Quickie

This five-year-old gelding trained by Phillip Stokes has done all of his recent racing in Victoria. He got there in the last few strides to win the Group 3 Victoria Handicap by 0.2 length over 1400 at Caulfield on 3 April, then chased hard for 2.5 lengths 2nd in the VOBIS Gold Mile over 1600m at Caulfield on 17 April. Goes well fresh and has drawn the inside barrier. Has solid claims.

2. Savatoxl

He has won 16 of his 29 starts. Following a 3 length win in the Group 3 D C McKay Stakes he was a $19 winner of the Group 1 The Goodwood by 2 lengths, then faded for 1.2 lengths 6th in the Kingsford-Smith Cup where he was vetted and was short striding in one leg. Despite his long price (he has been at each-way odds at his last 4 wins) he is a genuine chance here and has lots of early speed.

3. Tofane

Resumed from a 23 week spell for 2.4 lengths 7th in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes at Randwick, then came from well back to hit the line strongly for 1.25 lengths 2nd in the BRC Sprint. Should be at her peak third up and with the big drop in weight she is one of the chances.

4. Imaging

One of the Chris Waller runners. He hasn’t raced for seven weeks but goes well fresh, and three of his six wins have been over this distance. Has drawn very wide.

5. Olmedo

Held on as a narrow winner of the Listed Tails Stakes on 24 April, then finished 4.5 lengths 8th in the BRC Sprint last start. His four wins have been from 1500m to 2000m and this looks too hard.

6. So Si Bon

This seven-year-old trained by Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes has started 25 times at Group 1 level without winning. He won the VOBIS Gold Mile at Caulfield in April then only beat one home in the Kingsford-Smith Cup last start. Happy to risk.

7. Wild Planet

Resumed from a 28 week spell for 0.4 length 2nd in the Doomben 10,000. He has a good second-up record and won the Group 2 Theo Mark Stakes second-up last preparation. One of the main chances.

8. Niccanova

This seven-year-old ran 3rd in this race last year. He resumed from a spell to win the G2 Victory Stakes then battled on from well back in the field for 1.9 lengths 10th in the Kingsford-Smith. Will be getting home hard and is a rough hope.

9. I Am Superman

One of the Peter and Paul Snowden runners. He won the G2 Ajax Stakes two starts back before only beating one home in the All Aged Stakes. Has had a seven week let-up.

10. Victorem

He had the best last 800m race sectional of the day at distance when 0.5,0.5 length 3rd in the Hall Mark Stakes, then worked home nicely for a length 5th in the Kingsford-Smith after being held up. Don’t underestimate him.

11. Vega One

Finished 4th in this race last year. His lead-up races have been 2nd in the Victory Stakes, 0.7 length 4th in the Doomben 10,000 then a 0.5 length win in the Kingsford-Smith. Has drawn well and will be hard to beat.

12. The Harrovian

A wonderful gelding who has won 17 of his 33 starts over distances from 1200m to 2100m. He fought on for 5th in the All Star Mile then ran on out wide for 0.4,0.2 length 3rd in the Doomben 10,000 at his first run at Group 1 level. Drops 5.5 kg from that and I’ll be looking for the orange colours running on at the end of this race. Think he can place.

13. Signore Fox

He ran on well to finish 3rd in the Kingsford-Smith Cup behind Vega One. He has drawn barrier 19 which will make things tough.

14. Emerald Kingdom

Led all the way to win the BRC Sprint last start. He goes well at this track and goes well at this distance. Looks the best of the roughies and could surprise.

15. Madam Rouge – SCRATCHED

16. Subpoenaed

Chris Waller has not had the best of luck with barrier draws in the big Queensland races this season and this mare has the visitor’s draw of the outside barrier. Her last race was a good 2nd in the Group 1 TAB Classic in Adelaide six weeks ago. She goes well fresh but starting from the car park will make the job too hard.

17. Master Jamie

Has a good record of 13 wins from 25 starts but has only raced at Group level twice – his last 2 starts. He only beat one home in the G2 Victory Stakes then was 12th of 15 in the G3 BRC Sprint. This looks too hard.

18. Apache Chase

This three-year-old carries the featherweight of 49.5kg. He was a 2.75 length winner of the Listed Daybreak Lover 3YO Plate in April, came 2nd in the G2 Queensland Guineas on 1 May then was an all the way winner of the Fred Best Classic on 29 May carrying 57 kg where he beat Ayrton. I like him and rate him as one of the main chances.

19. Outback Barbie – Emergency

Will get a run following the scratching of Madam Rouge.Won the Listed Bright Shadow Quality before 1.4 lengths 7th in the Kingsford-Smith last start. Barrier 20 no help.

20. Amish Boy – Emergency

Back in March he finished 3rd in the Newmarket Handicap. Finished 0.2, 0.1 length 3rd in the Fred Best Classic and drops 7kg from that run. Outside chance.

21. Blazejowski – Emergency

Only beat two home in the Kingsford-Smith. This looks too hard.