Updated: 2016 Stradbroke Handicap field, barrier draw and odds
THE barrier draw for the $1.5 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap has been made with race-favourite Azkadellia drawing ideally in barrier five.
The 1400m feature race at Eagle Farm this Saturday is the highlight of the Brisbane winter carnival and the barrier draw plays a big part in the successes of past winners. Drawing the inside is a big plus, but there have been plenty of winners from the outside if they have enough speed to cross the field.
The updated market has yet to be released, but we will update the odds as they come out.
2016 Stradbroke Handicap field and barrier draw:
1. Black Heart Bart (10) – $6.50
2. Delectation (7) – $17
3. Malaguerra (9) – $9
4. Music Magnate (3) – $10
5. Azkadellia (5) – $3/80
6. Charlie Boy (6) – $34
7. Under The Louvre (13) – $13
8. Sacred Star (8) – $81
9. Big Money (4) – $81
10. Hooked (16) – $34
11. Charmed Harmony (15) – $67
12. Counterattack (14) – $6.50
13. Precious Gem (18) – $34
14. Two Blue (2) – $67
15. Kaepernick (17) – $11
16. Artlee (1) – $21
17. Takedown (11) – $17
18. The Virginian (12) – $81
Many punters are fearing that the Eagle Farm track might be too heavy, but those doubts were put at easy by track manager Warren Williams on Wednesday morning. The new Eagle Farm track took in over 120mm during the deluge of rain last weekend, but looks in top order for the 2016 Stradbroke Handicap this Saturday.
“We had about 123mm from night Friday to Saturday night,” Williams said. “We’ve rated the track as a soft 5 at the moment, it’s improving daily.”
When asked how the track would play on Saturday, Williams stated that they might have to give the track some water as high temperatures are expected for the rest of the week.
“The verdicts out,” he said. “We may have to water heading into Saturday’s meeting. [The rain] helped the track 100 percent. You can’t beat rain like that, it helps irrigation going forward.
“I think the track will be perfect.”
Prior to the barrier draw, the Ciaron Maher-trained Azkadellia was the $4 favourite at Crownbet.com.au and we expect those odds to shorten after the mare received barrier five. The chances of both Music Magnate and Maluguerra haven’t taken a hit, but impressive last-start winner Kaepernick will do it tough from barrier 17.