It’s rare for a horse to get a second shot at one of Australia’s elite handicaps, but Yellow Brick will do just that in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Last year, Tony and Maddysen Sears were crushed when their stable star was listed as second emergency and failed to gain a start. Fast forward to 2025, and Yellow Brick is firmly in the field, albeit at long odds of $34 against the $3.10 favourite, War Machine.
“Last year we were devastated when he was second emergency and didn’t get a start,” Maddysen Sears said.
“So, this has been his sole goal this time in.”
Yellow Brick enjoyed a successful Brisbane campaign in 2024 before heading to Sydney, where he finished fourth in the Five Diamonds Prelude and placed third in the Five Diamonds at Rosehill.
Following a short break and a January appearance at the Magic Millions Carnival, his entire preparation has been aimed squarely at this year’s Stradbroke.
He resumed with a trial-based lead-up before finishing 11th behind War Machine in the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m) on May 24.
Since then, Yellow Brick has kept ticking over with a trial at Doomben on June 3, where Saturday’s jockey Andrew Mallyon guided him through a soft 1000m hit-out on heavy ground.
“The horse is flying,” Sears said.
“He had a nice little tick over trial last week just so he would technically be third-up into the Stradbroke.
“And Andrew galloped him on Tuesday morning and he said that was the best he’s ever felt.
“Rather than race him, we’ve done a lot more work with him at home and given him the trials.
“He looks amazing and he’s ready for Saturday.”