The feature race of the day and as always, it promises to be a fantastic race with several legitimate chances. Early favouritism is split between Your Song and Sizzling ($4.40) with only three other runners, Buffering ($9.00), Epaulette ($7.00) and Better Than Ready ($8.50) are under double figure odds.
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Stradbroke Handicap Form Guide
1. BUFFERING – D Browne (6)
It would be fitting that this local galloper finally land his first G1 win in QLD’s biggest race. He ran second last year behind Mid Summer Music and from a much better draw this year, may be able to go one better. He set a solid speed last start in the Doomben 10,000 and stuck on tenaciously for third behind Epaulette. He’ll lead and give them plenty to catch but the last 100m will prove to be his biggest challenge.
2. EPAULETTE – K McEvoy (22)
A smart 3yo from the Darley camp who will have break a modern day weight carrying record if he is to be successful here. After good efforts in the G1 TJ Smith and All Aged Stakes in Sydney, the son of Commands enjoyed the solid speed of the Doomben 10,000 and finished over the top of Buffering and Sea Siren to record an impressive two length win. Obviously going well and will relish the speed and distance but will also need his fair share of luck from 22.
3. SOLZHENITSYN – M Rodd (17)
After a poor effort in the G1 George Ryder, Trainer Rob Heathcote gave his galloper and freshen up before he finished within two lengths of Lights of Heaven in the G2 Hollindale Stakes. At his next and most recent start, he started 11/8 favourite in the G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup and dominated from the front, winning by head over Transporter. Has excellent stats at the course and trip and the wide draw could be offset by the drop of 3kgs.
4. STREAM – G Boss (14)
Consistent mare who, from five starts this preparation has placed in races such as the Listed Wiggle Stakes, G3 Southern Cross and G1 Queen of the Turf behind Appearance. Interestingly, she competes here not had having a run for approximately 6 weeks. Trainer Guy Walter will have her ready though and she’s won three from four this trip.
5. MY QUEST FOR PEACE – L Nolen (23)
Had his first start for six months last fortnight in the G1 Doomben 10,000 where he ran a respectable seventh (beaten 6 lengths) behind Epaulette, given that the race was well short of his ideal trip. Will have taken benefit from that run but will get back from his wide draw and over this trip, won’t have the sprint to run them down.
6. LINTON – N Hall (21)
Adelaide galloper who has won his last two start – Listed Holdfast Handicap (under 62.5kgs) and G3 R A Lee Stakes. Has been really making a fist of it over the shorter trips and has been allocated a weight like this for a long time however, this depth of the race combined with his wide draw will make it tough.
7. DECISION TIME – J Bowman (12)
Ran third at his second run in this prep in the G1 The Galaxy behind Bel Sprinter and Snitzerland and as produced consistent effort in three runs since including, at his most recent start, a third (beaten 1 ¾ length) behind Fontelina in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes at Scone. Had to carry 60.5kgs on that occasion so there’s a significant weight drop for him here and is one of the better double figure chances.
8. YOUR SONG – P Robl (11)
First up was super impressive in winning the G1 BTC Cup over Rain Affair before drawing wide in the G1 Doomben 10,000. He was ridden forward last start and settled on a very solid tempo. He felt the pinch inside the 100m and finished sixth (beaten 4 lengths) Nicely weighted here and if able to get some cover, is capable of bouncing back – especially if track is wet.
9. SPIRIT OF BOOM – M Cahill (2)
Placed in G1 company on several occasions but yet to win at this level. Didn’t enjoy the heavy condition of the BTC Cup and was last and widest in the G1 Doomben 10,000 before finishing well to secure fourth spot (beaten 3.4 lengths) behind Epaulette. With a light weight and an inside draw, he may be able to hold a good position and possibly, sneak a place.
10. HAPPY ZERO – D Dunn (13)
Ran third in this race last year but is still searching for his first Australian win after thirteen starts. Ran tenth at his most recent start – the Prime Minister’s Cup a month ago and whilst he does possess a big finish, everything has to pan out for him in the race and run, for him to produce it.
11. HOT SNITZEL – (8)
Impressive winner of the G3 Sebring Stakes three starts back and at his most recent start, got his favoured soft track conditions to run third, beaten less than a length behind Galah in the QTC Cup. Drops down to 54kgs here and drawn well enough to take up a forward position. Any cut out of the track would assist.
12. YOSEI – M Payne (10)
Her last win was this track and distance in the G1 Tatt’s Tiara back in June 2011 – twenty starts ago now. She ran an eye-catcher first up in the G1 Roberts Sangster in Adelaide before an unlucky run (finished tenth, beaten 3 lengths) in the G1 Goodwood Handicap. She was slowly away and never figured in the G1 10,000 last start and would have to produce a big form reversal.
13. BELLTON – C Reith (3)
Took benefit from his first up ran where he finished fifth (beaten 1 ¾ lengths) in the Prime Minister’s Cup, to come out and win the G3 BRC Sprint in good style over Mahisara. Will be able to hold a position from his draw and has only missed a place once in five attempts this track and distance – albeit in lesser grade.
14. FAMOUS SEAMUS – G Colless (16)
He had beautiful runs in transit when he won the Listed Hinkler Stakes and Prime Minister Cup and again, at his most recent start, was in prime position as the field turned for home but struggled under the 58.5kgs and weakened to run twelfth behind Belltone. Not the form you want to see heading into a Group 1 race.
15. FONTELINA – J Cassidy (4)
Competed in all the major G1 raced during the Autumn Carnival and did well, including running fifth behind Pierro at WFA in the G1 George Ryder Stakes. Enjoyed the drop in grade and the track bias when leading all the way to win the Listed Luskin Star Stakes at Scone by 1 ½ at his most recent start. He drops down from 58 to 53kgs, drawn well and capable on in all going, one to put in any multiples.
16. SPIRIT SONG – M Walker (9)
Former Victorian galloper who is now with local trainer Kelso Wood and had no luck at her first run for the trainer in the Listed Chief De Beers a fortnight ago. Under a big weight, she got back in a race dominated by those up front and suffered interference at the top of the straight. She ran second to Solzhenitsyn in the G1 Toorak Handicap last spring and capable of a significant improvement.
17. BETTER THAN READY – C Newitt (19)
Won the Listed Mick Dittman Plate three starts back but in two subsequent runs, has chased home the winner in both the BTC Cup (third, beaten 6 ¼ lengths) and G1 Doomben 10,000 (fifth, beaten 3.7 lengths). Much better suited back to handicap conditions, but will have to give some smart ones, a big start from his poor draw.
18. SIZZLING – C Munce (18)
Smart local galloper who had little luck at his first two runs back from a spell, which consisted of a fifth in the G3 Gold Coast Guineas and sixth in the G3 Fred Best Classic. Made his own luck last start in the G3 Qld Guineas, making his run early and wide and proving too good for Dances on Stars and Lucky Hussler. Definitely has the form on the board but this is his biggest test to date and has a wide draw to contend with.
19. RIVA DE LAGO – (7)
Has ran second in each of his past three starts – G3 Liverpool City Cup, G2 Ajax Stakes and, at his most recent, the Listed Luskin Star Stakes behind Fontelina. Did well last start under 58.5kgs and a track bias to get as close as he did. Smart galloper who, with his light weight, will be doing his best work late and at $26.00, attracts a bit of attention.
20. CONSERVATORIUM – J Bowditch (5)
After running a ½ length second to Platelet in the G1 Goodwood Handicap, trainer Gary Kennewell brought his charge up for a tilt at the G2 QTC Cup and went within a nose of winning the race. It was a tough on pace effort by the 5yo Royal Academy gelding and, should he get a start, will get a good run from a good gate.
21. PHELAN READY – T Bell (20)
His last win was the Golden Slipper of 2009 – thirty-two starts ago now and given, he has produced some big runs in big races since, but just can’t have him to break the drought in a race of this standard.
22. CELTIC DANCER – (1)
He’s had four runs in this prep with the pick of them being is third placing in a Sunshine Coast Handicap. Led but wilted late last start in the G2 QTC Cup and, if he does get a run, would need a bog track to be given any chance.
OVERVIEW
Where to start? Buffering will go forward and as always, give his absolute best but think the 1400 under handicap conditions, will see him out. Happy to shop around Sizzling’s quote, no questioning his ability but this race as bought the best of the best together and from a wide draw, think he should be a few points longer. Like the Scone form and a couple who drop dramatically in the weight. Fontelina was good in the top races during the spring and was good again winning last start. Drawn to advantage here and has big race jock Jim Cassidy aboard. At $15.00, he represents very good each-way value. From the same race, Riva De Lago who should appreciate the conditions here – a strong tempo, 1400m, light weight and he possess a big finish. Of course, hard to leave out those with the runs on the board and the pick of the for mine is Your Song. Better ridden off the speed and Robl should be afforded that opportunity here. Great race – good luck!!
