Brisbane Winter Carnival’s dual Group 1 winner The Bostonian remains the favourite for the 2019 Group 1 $1.5m Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 8 following the release of the weights on Monday.
Osborne Bulls, above, was given the topweight of 58kg for the 2019 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
The Bostonian was given 57kg for the Stradbroke Handicap and still sits at the top of the market order at Ladbrokes.com.au at $5 ahead of the James Cummings trained Trekking at $8 and The Goodwood winner Despatch at $10.
The Cummings trained Osborne Bulls was given the top weight of 58kg, but the Group 1 bridesmaid is in the paddock, leaving The Bostonian to carry the number one saddlecloth in the Stradbroke Handicap.
The Bostonian was a three times winner in Queensland during the 2018 Winter Carnival and the Tony Pike trained Kiwi sprinter kept his unbeaten record in The Sunshine State intact with wins in the Group 1 $800,000 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) at Doomben on May 11 and in the Group 1 $700,000 Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday.
Osborne Bulls made it five Group 1 seconds in a row when runner up in the Doomben 10,000 and his stalemate Trekking also chased home The Bostonian when third in the Kingsford-Smith Cup.
Trekking was sent out as the $5.50 favourite in the Kingsford-Smith Cup at his first attempt at weight for age at the top level and will meet The Bostonian 3kg better when they clash again in the Stradbroke Handicap after receiving 54kg in the premier sprint.
The Tony McEvoy trained Despatch earned a ballot exemption for the Stradbroke Handicap after winning the Group 1 $750,000 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 18 with 56kg and drops to 54.5kg on Saturday week.
The Kris Lees trained Princess Posh has received a reprieve from the sale ring after returning to form when second at huge odds to The Bostoinan in the Kingsford-Smith Cup and is certain to get a run in the Stradbroke Handicap with only 52kg on her back.
“She ran so well on the weekend, and with a big syndicate they have decided to keep her for another month or so,” Lees told Racenet.
“Whether they sell her privately at the end of the season, we will see, but I think she deserves her spot.
“Saturday wasn’t a total surprise but it was good to see her react like that at her first time out in blinkers.
“She’s pulled up good and will be better placed than she was on Saturday at weight-for-age.”
Connections of three year old Military Zone have passed up the opportunity to run in the Stradbroke Handicap after gaining an exemption from the ballot with his win in the Group 3 $150,000 Nuturf Fred Best Classic (1400m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday and the gelding will be spelled before being prepared for the $7.5m Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on November 2.
Early betting for the 2019 Stradbroke Handicap at Ladbrokes.com.au: $5 The Bostonian, $8 Trekking, $10 Despatch, $11 Home Of The Brave, $12 Tyzone, $13 Invincibella, Prompt Response, Spright, $15 Con Te Partiro, Encryption, Victorem, Viridine, Widgee Turf, Winter Bride, $17 Dollar For Dollar, Outback Barbie, $21 Dubious, I Am Excited, Princess Posh, Ringerdingding, Tactical Advantage, Tom Melbourne, Violate, $26 or better the rest.
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