| What | 2024 Stradbroke Handicap |
| Where | Eagle Farm Racecourse – 230 Lancaster Rd, Ascot QLD 4007 |
| When | Saturday, June 15, 2024 |
| Prizemoney | $3,000,000 |
| Distance | 1400m |
| Conditions | Handicap |
| 2023 winner | Think About It (8) | T: Joseph Pride | J: Sam Clipperton (54kg) |
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Visit Dabble |
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Queensland’s richest race, the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, will headline a bumper nine-race card at Eagle Farm this Saturday afternoon, with a full field of 18 runners expected to take their place in the $3 million contest. With no rain forecast for the remainder of the week in Brisbane, the track will remain in the Good range for the whole meeting, while the rail will be pushed out slightly to the +4.5m position for the entire circuit.
The Stradbroke Handicap has been won by a different trainer every year since 2010, with most of Australia’s leading trainers claiming the Group 1 feature. With last year’s winner, Think About It, not returning to defend his crown, a new champion will etch their name into Stradbroke history this weekend.
2024 Stradbroke Handicap odds
Following his dominant win in the Moreton Cup last Saturday, Vilana has opened as the +400 market elect with top horse racing betting sites. Antino (+700) and Amenable (+850) are the only other runners that are marked in single figures, with the rest of the field representing great value. Bella Nipotina (+900), Magic Time (+1000), Stefi Magnetica (+1000), and Benedetta (+1000) sit just behind the top three, while the first emergency Freedom Rally (+1100) and Roll On High (+1200) are given good chances.
2024 Stradbroke Handicap speed map
Mighty Ulysses and Prince Of Boom appear to be the only natural leaders in this year’s edition of the Stradbroke Handicap, and they will take up the lead together. Vilana, Nugget and Magic Time will push forward from middle barriers, while Here To Shock and Steparty will receive economical runs from their inside gates. Although Semana, Bella Nipotina and Antino like to settle near the rear in their races, they won’t have any other options after drawing the three outside barriers.
Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 Stradbroke Handicap.
2024 Stradbroke Handicap preview & form
In a wide-open affair, Magic Time goes on top for the 2024 Stradbroke Handicap. The Grahame Begg-trained mare claimed her second Group 1 in four starts when winning the All Aged Stakes at the end of the Sydney Autumn Carnival before being galloped on in the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup last time out. This daughter of Hellbent has shown that when she gets onto a firm track over 1400m, she performs at her peak, and that is what she will get on Saturday afternoon. Michael Dee should be able to settle Magic Time in the middle of the pack off the fence and get into clear air to let down with a strong finish late.
Another runner that can be forgiven for his most recent start is Antino from the Tony Gollan stable, who is coming off a sixth-place finish in the Kingsford-Smith Cup. After jumping from barrier 10, Vlad Duric had to settle near the rear of the field, and even though he made up good ground late, he was never in the race. Unfortunately, the son of Redwood has drawn barrier 20 of 23, but with a three-wide running line expected to feature, Antino should be able to settle a little closer, and if he is within four lengths of the leaders turning for home, he has the turn of foot to run over the top late.
Nugget is one of the most experienced runners at Group 1 level in the 2024 Stradbroke Handicap, but this will only be his third start under handicap conditions at the top level throughout his career. The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding was sent around for a paid barrier trial when he was held up for the entire home straight in the Listed Scone Cup and has been given four weeks off since that run. Jason Collett can push forward, and if Nugget lands in the one-one position, he will prove hard to run down.
From the ace draw, Here To Shock will get all the favours and can settle right behind the speed. After taking out the Group 3 BRC Sprint to earn his way into the race, the son of Shocking enters the Stradbroke third-up at peak fitness and will appreciate a firmer and bigger track at Eagle Farm. Regan Bayliss will need an ounce of luck turning for home, but if he gets it, look for this guy weaving through the field in the concluding stages.
2024 Stradbroke Handicap selections & best bets
2
MAGIC TIME
3
ANTINO
8
NUGGET
7
HERE TO SHOCK
| $100 betting strategy | |
|---|---|
| $30 Win | Magic Time (#2) @ +1000 with Neds |
| $30 Win | Antino (#3) @ +700 with Bet365 |
| $10 Each-Way | Nugget (#8) @ +1800 & +500 with Dabble |
| $10 Each-Way | Here To Shock (#7) @ +1800 & +500 with Picklebet |
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