Best Bets For The Stradbroke Handicap At Eagle Farm

There is a bumper day of action at Eagle Farm this Saturday, with The Stradbroke Handicap taking centre stage. The Group One sprint is worth $3 million, and it has attracted a strong field of entries.

Here are the best bets for the Stradbroke Handicap and some of the supporting races on the card at Eagle Farm.

BEST BET: WAR MACHINE

Race number 8 (Stradbroke Handicap)

In his first start since moving to his new stable, War Machine won the BRC Sprint (1400m) at Doomben empathetically last month. That performance suggests he not only deserves his spot in the Group One field, but that he is also the horse to beat.

Unfortunately, Benedetta and Bosustow will not line up in Queensland’s most prestigious race this weekend. Those two horses would have been a strong test for War Machine, but without their participation, his task has been made easier.

The chief threat to War Machine could come from his own stable, with Rise At Dawn looking like his biggest challenger. He finished fifth in the Kingsford Cup last weekend, but that race may have taken something out of him, and with such a short window between those races, he may have to settle for one of the minor honours here behind War Machine.

Hayes believes War Machine has taken another step forward since his triumph in the BRC Cup. He has a fair weight allocation of 53kg, and with a big performance in this race, he can elevate his status as one of the best sprinters in Australia.

SECOND BEST BET: CAMPALDINO

Race number 3 (BRISBANE CUP)

The Brisbane Cup is a race contested over a distance of 3200 metres, so stamina is key in this contest at Eagle Farm. Campaldino’s victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at this course on his latest run indicated he will relish the step up in distance.

The weather forecasts point to rain falling ahead of this big day in Brisbane, and that will delight connections of Campaldino. The former New Zealand-based horse is at his best when there is plenty of give in the ground.

With three consecutive wins, Campaldino is progressing into a very smart stayer. If he can land the Brisbane Cup, his toughest assignment yet, his owners will be looking towards the highest level with their horse later this year.

Best Value: City Of Lights

Race number 7 (Dane Ripper Stakes)

As a half-sister to the superstar Winx, a lot has been expected from City Of Lights’ career. She fulfilled that promise when she claimed some black type earlier this season, winning the Group Three Hawkesbury Crown (1300m).

Her recent performances suggest the penny has finally dropped with City Of Lights, so it would be no surprise to see her enjoy some more success at this age of her career. The six-year-old does not lack any speed, and just like her half-sister, she has great battling qualities, as she showed at Hawkesbury last month.

Trainer Joseph Pride has had the Dane Ripper on his mind for his mare ever since her Hawkesbury Crown triumph. This is a competitive looking contest, but she represents great value to add her broodmare value even further with a victory here.