Trainer Ciaron Maher’s hopes Srikandi could be ridden quietly in the Stradbroke Handicap have been dealt a blow with the filly drawing barrier 17.

Srikandi has eased from outright favouritism to be at $5 with fellow three-year-old Hucklebuck who starts from the inside gate in Saturday’s Eagle Farm showpiece.

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Maher admitted he had been hoping to draw barrier 10 or under so she did not have to be used up early.

“It will be up to Glen (Boss) to see where she ends up. I think we will roll forward and hopefully get into a nice position,” Maher said.

“He will ride her where she is comfortable.

“Both jockeys who have ridden here have said she would be better ridden with a sit.

“The one-one would be lovely but I think a few others will be looking at that.”

The 1400m start at Eagle Farm is regarded as the fairest in Brisbane racing and often horses drawn wide can win races with luck.

“I suppose she might be out of trouble there so that is one plus,” Maher said.

New Zealand trainer Tony Pike was disappointed when Sacred Star drew barrier 20.

“We have been over here for a month and copped some barriers so we are getting used to it,” Pike said.

Pike said Sacred Star, who is now a $15 chance, had pulled up well after winning last Saturday’s QTC Cup (1300m).

“He will be better suited at the 1400 metres and he will be fitter for the win. He only had an 800 metre barrier trial before that race,” Pike said.

Pike said he wasn’t worried about the fact no horse had won the QTC Cup-Stradbroke double.

“Hoodoos are meant to be broken and maybe it will be us,” Pike said.

Spirit Of Boom firmed to $7 for the Stradbroke after drawing perfectly in barrier six while former second favourite Rebel Dane blew to $8 after getting barrier 22.

Trainer Kelso Wood will have two runners with Eddie Wilkinson to ride Belltone after Chris Munce switched to the first emergency Masthead.

Wood’s other runner Into The Red will be ridden by Andrew Spinks if he gets a start.

A full field of 18 plus five emergencies was declared on Wednesday.