First run in 1890 and upgraded to Group 1 status in 1980, the Stradbroke Handicap is the highlight of the Brisbane Winter Carnival. The 2023 “Stradbroke” will be run over 1400m at Eagle Farm Racecourse on Saturday 10th June.
As we head towards this year’s $3,000,000 race here are five of the most memorable moments in the recent history of the race.
The Top 5 Stradbroke Handicap Moments
- ROUGH HABIT became part of racing folklore recording back-to-back Stradbroke Handicap wins in 1991 and 1992. The 1991 win was a dominant victory while his 1992 win with 58.5kgs was achieved with a great deal of assistance from jockey Jim Cassidy. “The Pumper” produced a peach of a ride after settling at the rear of the field and the New Zealand galloper did the rest.
- BLACK PIRANHA joined Rough Habit as a back-to-back Stradbroke champion in 2009 and 2010. Interestingly when winning in 2009 he started as a $4 favourite and returned to win the following year as a $21 outsider. His win in 2010 was extremely tough when he was caught wide in the run and lifted in the home straight under the urgings of Nash Rawiller.
- LA MONTAGNA was a popular winner of the race as a 3yo in 2006. The Barry Baldwin trained filly got into the race with a postage stamp weight of 48.5kgs due to a ballot exemption and despite travelling wide in the run she was too strong in the run home in wet conditions. She was crowned Queensland Horse of the Year at the end of the season.
- Racing fans love a backmarker storming home and they also love a grey horse. In LINTON they got both! In 2013 the grey settled towards the rear of the field from a wide gate and was last as the horses headed into the home straight. His rider Nicolas Hall rode for luck and he sure got it, sneaking up along the rails to defeat local star Buffering. You could have heard a pin drop!
- The win of PLUSH EMBASSY in 1990 was remarkable for different reasons. The Victorian loved the wet tracks and was heavily supported in betting, starting a $10 chance on the track. He was taken to the front by his jockey Garry Murphy who rated him perfectly in the heavy conditions, holding on for a narrow victory. Bookmakers at the time said it was the biggest betting plunge on track for 20 years.
How To Bet on the Stradbroke Handicap
With so many bookmakers in the market, it is crucial to bet with someone you can trust. Palmerbet offers a great range of betting markets and great prices on the Stradbroke Handicap. Betting is available pre-post or on the day. As a family-owned business, they offer a great blend of old-fashioned service while making use of modern technology.
Visit Palmerbet.com for Stradbroke Handicap betting odds. You will be pleased you did!
Conclusion
The Stradbroke Handicap is always a great betting race with a host of winning chances. The big field and handicap conditions of the race provide for a fantastic spectacle and give all horses a chance. Finding the winner can be a challenge but it is financially rewarding with good prices on offer.
For those seeking Stradbroke Handicap betting tips, it is advisable to consider various factors such as recent form, track conditions, jockey and trainer performance, and historical trends in the race. Analyzing these aspects can provide valuable insights into potential contenders and assist in making informed betting decisions.
Every year there is a story to be told by the winner, whether it is the jockey, trainer or connections. Sometimes it is all three!
Who will add their name to the Stradbroke Handicap honour roll in 2023?