Form analyst, RIC CHAPMAN, looks at every runner in Saturday’s $3million Gr 1 Stradbroke Hcp with horse racing tips for the first four. Read on to see how he maps his South Aussie classic. Good luck!
Eagle Farm R8 – $3million Gr 1 Stradbroke Hcp 1400m
1. ROTHFIRE (16) x15285x213
T; Rob Heathcote / J: Nash Rawiller (57kg)
What a gallant horse and he loves this track. Big weight against a crack field is an issue but distance is even bigger. Led around the bend but was run down quiet comfortably by rising star Think Ab out It at level weights. Today he gives him 3kg. That makes it hard.
2. SUPERSTORM (13) x413316x7x
T: Lauren Abbott / J: James Orman (56.5kg)
Former very smart racehorse, who won at Gr 1 level in the Cantala Stks over a mile. But that was two years ago. Has had two changes of stables since then and should get run over here.
1. VILANA (15) 8x1810x176
T: James Cummings/ J; James Mcdonald (56kg)
So smart and is ready to run a big race. Is going to find hot tough from this gate to find a spot but if he does he’s a player. Not far behind Think About It last start and prefers this trip.
4. SCALLOPINI (8) 5251x311x4
T: Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted / J: Boris Thornton (55.5kg)
Is in peak form and loves this track. Last start humped 60kg when solid 4th to Surd Dancer in 1350m BRC Sprint. Has won this trip faster than all these others and loves it damp too. Big player.
5. CONVERGE (17) x6900x7302
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott / J: Tim Clark (55.5kg)
Has talent and just loves it in Brisbane this time of year. Settled back 6th on the fence when resuming last start but came hard when clear to run 2nd to Think About It in Gr 1 last start. Is very powerful on his day. Needs to get in from this wide gate but is to be strongly considered.
6. SURF DANCER (7) 1x16460x01
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott / J: Ryan Maloney (54.5kg)
has always been about a length or so behind the top horses but last start, at $31 was a coming ion age. Stormed home to claim the BRC Sprint from Dragon leap and Cardinal Gem and drops 3kg. Drawn well but this is a step up.
7. GENTLEMAN ROY (2) 146×124700
T: Team Hayes / J: Craig Williams (54.5kg)
Has been placed at this trip at Gr 1 level but recent runs when on speed haven’t been good enough. Will get to the front without a great deal of pressure from this gate but last 100m will test.
8. ELEVEN ELEVEN (20) 30x5L92x70
T: Greg Hickman /J: Jason Collet (54.5kg)
Not racing well enough to test the better ones in this.
9. THINK ABOUT IT (12) 13x1111x11
T: Joe Pride /J: Sam Clipperton (54kg)
This is a smart one. He is giving every indication that he is a superstar in the making. Has raced 9 times and has won 8 of them. Last start he stormed home out wide to claim the Gr 1 Kingsford Smith Cup over 1300m and is definitely better suited to this trip. Drawn well enough and drops 5kg. Must be strongly fancied.
10. CARDINAL GEM (6) 3110×62113
T: Graeme Begg / J: Jordan Childs (54kg)
Is racing in career best form and oddly seems to be getting better as he ages. Terrific win this trip on a damp track with b60kg at Sandown 2 runs back and last start hit line hard when 3rd to Surf Dancer. Drops 4kg and has drawn well.
11. HOLYFIELD (21) 76x1233x89
T: Annabel Neasham / J: Damien Thornton (53.5kg)
Drawn poorly and not racing well enough.
12. AFT CABIN (19) 2121×15414
T: James Cummings /J: Kerrin McEvoy (53kg)
Good honest type who comes here off a great hard-finishing 4th to Giga Kick in fast time in the Gr 1 Doomben 10,000 last start and should appreciate this trip more. Drops 4kg on that run and he made ground on a day when most didn’t. Big show.
13. ROYAL MERCHANT (14) 1254423211
T: Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustace /J: Ben Thompson (52.5kg)
Will find this harder than past two where she came hard to win both, latest in the Gr 1 Goodwood in Adelaide. Yet to win this trip but runs like it will suit.
14. RUTHLESS DAME (13) 11×3201
T: Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustace / J: Michael Dee (52.5kg)
This filly is very smart and showed that last start when finishing like a train to snatch the Gr 1 Robert Sangster on a damp track. Is improving as she ages too and lightweight here is a big help. Will finish hard.
15. CHAIN OF LIGHTNING (18) 1310×38994
T: Peter Moody / J: Linda Meech (52kg)
Smart enough of her day and 4th to Ruthless dame last start but there is way more depth in this race.
16. PALAISIPAN (11) 3x3220x420
T: Chris Munce / J: Kyle Wilson-Taylor (52kg)
This is harder than past few where she has been beaten and looks tested here.
17. TICK TOCK QUEEN (4) x16161x947
T: Tony Gollan / J: Angela Jones (51kg)
Has talent but isn’t good enough to beat all of these.
18. HAWAII FIVE OH (3) 139×2211
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott /J: Rachel King (49.5kg)
Is one of the most improved runners in the country and looks very hard to beat here. Carries no weight, is very fast and can run time this trip. Drops 7.5kg on gutsy win over the brilliant Yellow Brick. Huge chance.
19. ALPINE EDGE (5) 05x721x018
T: Team Edmonds /J: Marley (53.5kg)
Very handy and did win nice lead-up race 2 runs back. Not far away when making ground behind Think About It last start.
20. OPAL RIDGE (10) 28121×1451
T: Luke Pepper /J: Tyler Schiller (50kg)
Top class filly in the making who may not gain a start here but if she does her honesty will keep her right in it.
21. DRAGON LEAP (1) 244x146x92
T:Lance O’Sullivan & Andy Scott /J: – (53kg)
Kiwi sprinter with some talent and showed that when 2nd to Surf dancer in Gr 3 last start. This will test though.
22. SINAWANN (9) 28x67458x7
T: Team Freedman /J: – (53kg)
Not racing well enough for this. Not keen.
23. YELLOW BRICK (22) 3111x12x12
T: Team Sears /J: -r (51kg)
Drawn horribly but should have won last start and if he gets a run he can win this too. If not, he will win the other race earlier in the day.