Craig Williams has labelled Spicy Martini a serious contender in the upcoming Stradbroke Handicap, even though he won’t be aboard the talented filly due to weight restrictions.

Spicy Martini booked her place in Queensland’s most prestigious race by capturing the Fred Best Classic (1350m) at Doomben on Wednesday, which had been postponed from the previous weekend due to heavy rain.

Williams partnered the three-year-old to victory in that event, settling just behind the pace before reeling in Media World late in the straight to win narrowly. However, the champion jockey will be unable to make the filly’s assigned 49.5kg weight for the Stradbroke.

“Any three-year-old that wins this race always runs well,” Williams told Sky Racing.

“She has got a great profile. She had excuses for last time and she’s a good, tough horse with no weight.

“She makes her own luck, so she is definitely going there with a realistic chance. Now it just depends on how good a ten-days she has.

“Unfortunately, with 49-1/2 (kilos), I’ll have to be in the opposition on Saturday week.”

Spicy Martini has now recorded four wins from six starts, and co-trainer Toby Edmonds is eager to test her in the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), where she’s rated a $21 chance with online betting sites.

Edmonds acquired the daughter of Justify from Coolmore in a private sale due to conformation concerns that kept her from being offered at auction.

“She walks like a duck,” Edmonds said.

“She’s a filly that has got quite a few issues and takes a lot of managing but she does well.

“There is nothing flash about her at all. She’s honest, she’s in the Stradbroke now with 49-1/2 (kilos) so I am very keen to run, so long as she pulls up well.”

Three-year-olds have enjoyed success in the Stradbroke, most recently when Stefi Magnetica triumphed as a filly 12 months ago.

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