The Stradbroke Handicap is a Group 1 race held each year in Brisbane at Eagle Farm Racecourse. Run over 1400 metres for $1,360,000 in prize money, this event is a major part of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival. The Stradbroke Handicap has been run since 1890, making it one of the oldest thoroughbred races on the Queensland calendar.
Special Offer: $250 STRADBROKE HANDICAP FREE BET – Sportsbet
The Stradbroke Handicap is named after Lord Stradbroke, relative to Henry John Rous, originator of the weight-for-age scale in thoroughbred racing. Originally run over a distance of 6 furlongs, this event became a 7 furlong race in 1953 and a 1400 metre race in 1972 with the advent of the metric system. The inaugural race was won by Pyrrhus, with a number of other notable names winning this event over the years.
Some well known horses to have won this event include Rough Habit in 1991 and 1992, All Our Mob in 1994, and Dane Ripper in 1997. A number of horses have also managed to win the Stradbroke Handicap more than once, including Gold Tie in 1918-19, Highland in 1925-26, Petrol Lager in 1934-35, Lucky Ring in 1949-50, Rough Habit in 1991-92, and Black Piranha in 2009-10.
In recent times, winners of the Stradbroke Handicap include Sincero in 2011, Mid Summer Music in 2012, and Linton in 2013. Stradbroke Handicap Day is the biggest day of the year at Eagle Farm Racecourse, with a total of three Group 1 races held on the day. Along with the Stradbroke Handicap, racegoers can also look forward to the Queensland Derby for three-year-olds and The JJ Atkins for two-year-olds.
Possible lead-up races for the Stradbroke Handicap include the Group 1 Doomben 10000 at Doomben and the Group 2 QTC Cup at Eagle Farm Racecourse. Private Steer in 2003, Show A Heart in 2002, Adam in 1999, All Our Mob in 1994, and Rough Habit in 1992 all finished runner-up in the Doomben 10000 prior to winning this race.
Stradbroke Handicap 2014 odds comparison
News:
Many of his rivals would envy him, but jockey Ben Melham is lamenting Smokin’ Joey’s Stradbroke Handicap barrier.
The last-start winner of the Group One Goodwood Handicap, Smokin’ Joey will start from gate three at Eagle Farm on Saturday, a draw Melham says poses a few problem.
“I would have preferred him to draw off the track because he’s a horse that resents horses being outside him,” Melham said.
“I have probably got no other option but to go back and we’re going to be last probably.”
Smokin’ Joey stormed home out wide to win the Goodwood (1200m) in Adelaide last start and connections paid a late entry fee to run him in the Stradbroke (1400m).
The Stradbroke has a capacity field of 18 plus five emergencies and Melham is banking on a strong speed to give Smokin’ Joey his chance in the $1.38 million race.
“He just turns it up in amongst them and won’t go at all. I think that (going back to last) is our only option unfortunately we’re left with, and get him to the outside,” he said.
“The only thing in our favour is the Stradbroke is always a high-pressure race and hopefully they can break themselves up front early and give us every chance to get over the top of them.”
Smokin’ Joey has had a barrier trial at Cranbourne since his Goodwood win to keep him ticking over for the Stradbroke and Melham says the six-year-old is in great order.
The gelding was rated a $17 chance after Wednesday’s draw with three-year-old’s Hucklebuck and Srikandi joint favourites at $5.
“He’s really happy in himself and I know when he’s happy he runs well,” Melham said.
“But in saying that he’s got to have things go his way. If things go his way he can be impressive. If they don’t he can look disappointing on face value.”