The 2024 Stradbroke Handicap, one of Australia’s most prestigious horse racing events, is set to take place at Eagle Farm Racecourse on Saturday, June 15th. With a rich history dating back to 1890, this Group 1 race attracts top-tier horses, jockeys, and trainers, all vying for a share of the substantial prize pool and the glory that comes with victory.

This year’s race promises to be an exciting contest with a competitive field of 18 runners. Leading the charge is the favourite, Dynamic Dash, a powerful sprinter who has shown exceptional form in recent outings. Trained by the legendary Chris Waller, Dynamic Dash is expected to put up a strong performance.

The Runners

1. Bella Nipotina (21) – Doomben 10,000 winner. At the latest run made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 10 at this track in the G1 K-Smith Cup on June 1 over 1300m, slow going long-neck behind I Wish I Win carrying 57kg at $8. Before that won by a nose at Doomben G1 Doomben 10,000 May 18 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating I Wish I Win carrying 56.5kg at $7. With a little improvement can take this out.

2. Magic Time (9) – All Aged Stakes winner. Most recently 8th of 10 at this track in the G1 K-Smith Cup on June 1 over 1300m, slow going 6 len behind I Wish I Win with 57kg at $6. The race before that came from midfield and won by a long-neck at Randwick G1 All Aged April 20 over 1400m in the wet defeating Amenable carrying 57kg at $6.50. Capable of a better run.

3. Antino (20) – Group 2 winner. Third-up and won third-up previously. Resuming settled well back; won by 1.1 len at this track G2 Victory Stakes May 4 over 1200m in soft going defeating Wee Nessy with 58.5kg at $4. Second-up got back early 6th of 10 at this track in the G1 K-Smith Cup on June 1 over 1300m, slow going 4.5 len behind I Wish I Win carrying 59kg at $11. Genuine contender under these conditions.

4. Benedetta (6) – The Goodwood winner. Resumes off a 35 day let-up. At the latest run won by a head at Morphettville G1 The Goodwood May 11 over 1200m defeating Stretan Angel with 55kg at $6. The race before that 3rd of 14 at Morphettville in the G1 Sangster on April 27 over 1200m, long-neck behind Climbing Star carrying 56.5kg at $9. Ideally placed to make it two on the trot.

5. Cepheus (15) – Multiple Group 2 winner. First-up. Finished off last campaign 12th of 18 at Rosehill in the G1 Geo Ryder March 23 over 1500m, 5.5 len behind Veight carrying 59kg at $101. Previously first up; ran last of 11 at Randwick in the G3 Liverpool March 2 over 1300m, soft track; 9 len behind Phearson carrying 60kg at $26. Faces a tough essay.

6. Vilana (14) – Half-brother to five-time Group 2 winner Savatiano. Group 2 winner. At the latest run favourite; scored a big 3.5 len win at this track G2 Swp June 8 over 1200m defeating Mazu with 56kg at $3.30. The race before that 6th of 15 at Doomben in the G3 Brc Sprint on May 25 over 1350m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind Here To Shock carrying 59kg at $5. Big chance again.

7. Here To Shock (1) – Multiple Group 3 winner. At the latest run won by a nose at Doomben G3 Brc Sprint May 25 over 1350m in soft going defeating Freedom Rally carrying 57kg at $8. The run before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 8 at Caulfield Bm100 on May 4 over 1600m, head behind Dashing carrying 59.5kg at $3.50. Has a low draw and is right in the mix.

8. Nugget (10) – Multiple Group 1 placegetter. Resumes off a 29 day let-up. At the latest run 12th of 16 at Scone in the LR Scone Cup on May 17 over 1600m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Sky Lab with 59.5kg at $5. The start before that came from midfield; 4th of 19 at Randwick in the G1 Doncaster on April 6 over 1600m, in the wet; 0.8 len behind Celestial Legend carrying 51.5kg at $26. Comes into this in ordinary form. Can’t enthuse.

9. The Inevitable (8) – Group 3 winner. Second run back. First-up after five months 7th of 15 at Doomben in the G3 Brc Sprint on May 25 over 1350m, slow going 2 len behind Here To Shock with 59kg at $26. Previously second-up 8th of 18 at Randwick in the G1 Epsom on September 30 over 1600m, 2.5 len behind Rediener with 55.5kg at $9. Solid top-three hope.

10. Amenable (16) – Group 1 placegetter. Last start made ground from midfield; 2nd of 16 at Scone in the LR Luskinstar on May 18 over 1300m, slow going nose behind Coastwatch with 60kg at $4. The race before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 13 at Randwick in the G1 All Aged on April 20 over 1400m, on a wet track; long-neck behind Magic Time with 59kg at $51. Solid run last time and is a strong winning hope again.

11. Prince Of Boom (7) – Multiple Group 2 winner. Last start tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 15 at Doomben in the G3 Brc Sprint on May 25 over 1350m, slow going 1.1 len behind Here To Shock with 58.5kg at $21. Before that 6th of 9 at this track in the G2 Victory Stakes on May 4 over 1200m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Antino with 58.5kg at $8.50. Not far from the winner last time but this is a tougher assignment.

12. Osipenko (11) – Group 2 winner. Second-up. First-up after six months second last of 10 at this track in the G1 K-Smith Cup on June 1 over 1300m, on a slow track; 7 len behind I Wish I Win with 59kg at $61. Previously second-up 7th of 14 at Caulfield in the G1 Memsie on September 2 over 1400m, 2.75 len behind Mr Brightside with 58.5kg at $16. Fitter but must improve sharply.

13. Mighty Ulysses (18) – Group 3 winner. Comes here off a 35-day let-up. At the latest run 4th of 12 at Sunshine Coast in the G2 Hollindale on May 11 over 1800m, on heavy track; 4 len behind Numerian carrying 59kg at $12. The race before that won by 1.75 len at this track LR Bne Qlty April 27 over 1600m in soft going defeating Jimi Hendrix with 58.5kg at $26. Doesn’t pose too much of a threat.

14. Semana (22) – Multiple Group 1 placegetter. Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of nine weeks. Finished off last campaign third of 15 at Randwick in the G1 Queen Turf April 13 over 1600m, 1.3 len behind Zougotcha carrying 57kg at $14. Previously first-up; second of 9 at Wyong Mm3&4yo December 13 over 1200m, a long neck behind Royal Merchant with 57kg at $12. Certainly one to consider.

15. Dream Hour (3) – At the latest run got back early 4th of 8 at Doomben Hcp on May 29 over 1200m, slow going 2 len behind Midnight In Tokyo with 56.5kg at $7. The race before that 5th of 16 at Wyong Provmid Champ on March 30 over 1350m, 2.25 len behind Ausbred Flirt carrying 57.5kg at $3.50. Has a nice gate but this will test.

16. Steparty (4) – Group 1 placegetter. Third-up and won third-up in the past. Resuming sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 14 at Flemington in the LR Straight Six on May 18 over 1200m, slow going 2 len behind Who Dares carrying 55kg at $4. Second-up 8th of 18 at this track in the G3 Fred Best on June 1 over 1400m, slow going 3.5 len behind Roll On High with 57kg at $10. Can improve on recent efforts.

17. Stefi Magnetica (19) – Group 1 placegetter. Third-up and won third-up in the past. First-up eased back early on 5th of 9 at Doomben in the G1 Doomben 10,000 on May 18 over 1200m, slow going 1.5 len behind Bella Nipotina carrying 55kg at $41. Second-up 3rd of 18 at this track in the G3 Fred Best on June 1 over 1400m, slow going 1.5 len behind Roll On High with 55kg at $3.50. Genuine contender under these conditions.

18. Roll On High (13) – Group 3 winner. Last start won by 0.5 len at this track G3 Fred Best June 1 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Rhythm Of Love carrying 55kg at $16. The run before that settled back and ran on when 7th of 10 at Sunshine Coast in the G3 Gc Guineas on May 11 over 1200m, in the wet; 4 len behind Corniche carrying 55kg at $3.50. Watch for her to be flashing home.

19. Freedom Rally (5) – Group 3 placegetter. Last start sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 10 at this track in the G1 K-Smith Cup on June 1 over 1300m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind I Wish I Win with 59kg at $26. The start before that 2nd of 15 at Doomben in the G3 Brc Sprint on May 25 over 1350m, slow going nose behind Here To Shock with 54kg at $4.50. Can improve on that reasonable effort last time out.

20. Yellow Brick (23) – Group 3 winner. At the latest run favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 0.7 len at this track LR Qlty June 8 over 1500m defeating Wategos carrying 59.5kg at $2.50. The start before that 5th of 15 at Doomben in the G3 Brc Sprint on May 25 over 1350m, slow going 1.5 len behind Here To Shock carrying 57kg at $6. Tested from a wide gate.

21. Strait Acer (17) – Group 1 placegetter. Most recently 8th of 15 at Doomben in the G3 Brc Sprint on May 25 over 1350m, slow going 2.25 len behind Here To Shock with 57kg at $12. The run before that 4th of 12 at Rockhampton The Archer Wfa on April 28 over 1300m, 1.0 len behind Namazu with 59kg at $2.10. Not doing enough to threaten the top few today.

22. Aureus Angel (2) – Group 2 placegetter. Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up came from midfield and won by a head at Doomben LR Bright Shadow May 18 over 1110m on a rain affected track defeating Bezique carrying 53.5kg at $21. Last start 13th of 17 at this track in the LR Coughlan on June 1 over 1200m, on a slow track; 8 len behind Chinny Boom with 56.5kg at $14. Tough assignment.

23. Cifrado (12) – Multiple Group 2 winner. Most recently 15th of 18 at this track in the G3 Fred Best on June 1 over 1400m, slow going 12 len behind Roll On High carrying 57kg at $19. The race before that raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 10 at Sunshine Coast in the G3 Gc Guineas on May 11 over 1200m, on rain affected going; 0.5 len behind Corniche carrying 57kg at $10. Fully tested on his recent run.

Our expert tips!

Group 2 winner VILANA (6) was too good when winning by 3.5 lengths last time at this track. Rates among the main hopes again. Group 1 placegetter STEFI MAGNETICA (17) performed well last start when third at this track over 1400m in a Group 3 on soft going and should be at her top. Can contest the finish. The Goodwood winner BENEDETTA (4) going well lately scoring two wins with one placing from five appearances this preparation including a last start win at Morphettville, could be value and don’t underestimate. Group 3 placegetter FREEDOM RALLY (19) will be rock-hard fit now following a nice effort at this track last start when fourth. Group 2 winner ANTINO (3) sure to make his presence felt.

Tips: (6)-(17)-(4)-(19)-(3)