Stradbroke Handicap betting guide with form, markets and best bet
THE Stradbroke Handicap is one of the most popular races during the Brisbane winter carnival and it runs this Saturday at Doomben.
Punters are having a hard time trying to sort out a winner, given that there are only three last-start winners in the field, but we have a betting guide which should make those tough decisions easier.
We look through the field with a fine-tooth comb to find the best value for the Stradbroke Handicap with form, updated odds and free tips.
Place your Stradbroke bet with CrownBet.com.au and if your runner comes second or third, you will get a matched bonus bet of up to $50.
2017 Stradbroke Handicap updated market
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2017 Stradbroke Handicap best bet
Mackintosh – $9.50 at Ladbrokes.com.au
The money has come for the Chris Waller-trained runner which opened a full point higher than what is currently being offered.
The four-year-old son of Pins is fresh up having not raced since December where it ran 13th in the Group 1 Kingston Town Stakes, but it finds its best form after a break and there are many reasons why Mackintosh should be your top selection this Saturday.
Mackintosh is unbeaten in two starts fresh up and it has never suffered defeat in two starts at Doomben. That’s an imposing record and it has already beaten similar opposition when taking out the Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill over stablemate Counterattack.
It appears to be the top pick for Chris Waller after the engagement of Kerrin McEvoy (Opie Bosson rides Counterattack) and that should certainly be taken into account when backing this runner.
It will also get the benefit of the inside barrier and for a runner that likes to sit just behind the speed, that’s a big advantage. Coupled with the inside draw is the light weight of 53.5kg.
Its poor effort in the Kingston Town was in part due to carrying 58.5kg and it has run much better races in the past when carrying lighter weights.
We suggest grabbing the $9.50 on offer with Ladbrokes as its price with other bookmakers continues to tumble. It’s now into $7 and is expected to firm over the next few days.
Stradbroke Handicap next best bet
Counterattack – $2.60 to place at Sportsbet.com.au
We’re sticking with the Waller and who could blame us?
Counterattack has been on the verge of scoring a big win and this looks its best chance to return to the winners enclosure.
The four-year-old has won only four of its 25 starts, but with over $900,000 in the prize money bank, the class is evident.
It finished third behind Clearly Innocent last time out, but it carried 59kg on that occasion and the drop to 54.5kg is ideal for this. The conditions at Eagle Farm were playing tricks with most punters and despite having good wet track form, it’s a superior horse on the dry.
Form suggests it will settle midfield, but drawing barrier two will allow it to settle closer and it could hit the front in the straight. Its stablemate might be stalking it, but it’s worth a place bet and the odds are appealing.
Best Stradbroke Handicap each way tip
Punters shouldn’t sleep on Ulmann at a nice price of $9 and $3 to place at CrownBet.com.au.
The Darren Weir-trained gelding won the Wangoom at Warrnambool two starts back before running third in the BRC Sprint behind Jungle Edge, but those came on an unsuited wet track and the dry conditions bring it right into the picture.
The five-year-old is a four-time winner at this distance, with an additional five placings, and it placed at its only start on this track.
It typically likes to drop back during the run before launching late in the race, so punters should expect similar tactics to be used here and the pace of the race should suit the son of Sebring nicely.
It drops in weight to 53.5kg and although we would have liked a different jockey to be in the saddle, it still looms as a good each way bet for value punters.
Stradbroke Handicap blowout chance
In Her Time – $18 at Bet365.com
This provincial-trained mare hasn’t done much wrong to suggest it couldn’t cause an upset at group one level.
The Benjamin Smith-trained four-year-old produced three consecutive wins earlier this season over the likes of Raiment, Egyptian Symbol and Euro Angel – all top thoroughbreds in their own right.
It then ran fifth in the Coolmore behind Heavens Above and fifth behind Redzel in the Doomben 10,000. Those runs suggested it could handle this grade and despite drawing wide, it could figure in the finish with only 53.5kg on its back.
We wouldn’t be surprised to see Dean Yendall take it forward and be positive from the outset.