It’s the jewel in the crown of the Brisbane winter and $3 million goes on the line in Saturday’s Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm.
Won by many stars of the Australasian turf throughout its storied existence, the 2023 Stradbroke Handicap field is again dripping with talent, and a terrific betting race has materialised.
I’ve run the rule over the lot, and you can find my complete 2023 Stradbroke Handicap Tips below.
Suggested Bets
- 3 Units E/W #12 Aft Cabin
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below
Stradbroke Handicap – Winner
Aft Cabin has returned to the races in typically strong and consistent form this time, and I think that the Stradbroke Handicap is the perfect Group 1 feature for him.
The Astern colt would have started a clear favourite in the Neds Caulfield Guineas last spring before injury brought down the curtain on his campaign, but he returned a winner this year in the Eskimo Prince.
He didn’t look as impressive at his next two starts, but the decision to fresh and aim at sprint feature paid immediate dividends when he proved too good in the Arrowfield during The Championships.
Having arrived in Brisbane to finished fourth, beaten just over a length by Giga Kick in the Doomben 10,000, I love that he has been kept up to the mark with a trial, and even after drawing wide, I think that the double figures about him in Stradbroke Handicap betting (at publish) is great value.
Suggested Bet: No. 12 Aft Cabin
Stradbroke Handicap – 2nd
He has opened an understandable favourite in 2023 Stradbroke Handicap betting, and Think About It is primed for another big performance.
The Joe Pride-trained gelding has continued to go from strength to strength in each of his last couple of preparations, and he recorded four wins from as many starts last time in.
Having returned a winner of the Takeover Target Stakes early last month, he made the successful transition into Group 1 company in the Kingsford Smith Cup at his latest, and this has always been his major target.
Can he do the double? I have no doubt that he’ll be right in the finish.
Suggested Bet: No. 9 Think About It
Stradbroke Handicap – 3rd
Typically, Godolphin will launch a very strong, multi-pronged attack in the Stradbroke Handicap, and we certainly can’t write off Vilana either!
Vilana has been something of a quiet achiever for the international juggernaut throughout the last couple of years and has picked off some lovely races.
He had one start in the Sydney autumn this year, an eye-catching win in the Hall Mark Stakes, and he’s continued to strip fitter since arriving in Brisbane.
He steps out this week in peak order, and the booking of James McDonald obviously enhances his chances of winning as well.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Vilana
Stradbroke Handicap – 4th
If there’s one that can in the Stradbroke Handicap at a huge price this year, I think it’s Chain Of Lightning ($34 at publish).
Chain Of Lightning has been a great horse for the Moody yard for a couple of preparations now, and she stamped herself as one to follow during her spring prep last year.
The Fighting Sun mare needed a few starts to dust of the cobwebs earlier this prep, but she mustered a nice turn of foot to finish within a length in Group 1 company last time out.
With improvement for that effort and getting out to the 1400m this week, I think she can run a cheeky race.
Suggested Bet: No. 15 Chain Of Lightning
