The Darren Weir trained Black Heart Bart was allocated the top weight of 58kg when the weights for the 2016 Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) were released today.
Goodwood winner Black Heart Bart will carry the topweight in the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm. Photo by Jenny Barnes.
Chris Waller’s Group 1 winner Delectation is next in the weights at 57kg with Black Heart Bart’s stalemate Stratum Star to carry 56.5kg in the Brisbane Winter Carnival’s feature sprint to be run on the newly reconstructed Eagle Farm track on June 11.
The former West Australian trainer Black Heart Bart has been ultra-consistent since joining the Weir stable and the five year old was rewarded with a Group 1 win when he beat Under The Louvre and Supido in the Group 1 $500,000 Darley Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 21.
Prior to his win at Morphettville, Black Heart Bart was a first up second to The Quarterback in the Group 1 $1.25m Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 12 as well as a second two starts back to English in the Group 1 $600,000 Schweppes All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on the last day of the Sydney Autumn Carnival.
The Lee and Anthony Freedman trained Malaguerra confirmed his high Stradbroke Handicap ranking when he won the Group 1 $500,000 BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben on May 14 and has been given 56kg.
Last Saturday’s Doomben winner Music Magnate was allocated 55.5kg and also confirmed his credentials when he took out the Group 1 $750,000 James Boag’s Premium Doomben 10000 (1350m).
Trainer Bjorn Baker said that the stable had taken their time Music Magnate as a young a horse their patience was reward with a Group 1 win.
“He has taken time. As a two year old he didn’t show me too much but he continued to improve,” Baker said.
Stradbroke Handicap favourite Azkadellia has been allocated 54.5kg and the Ciaron Maher trained mare showed that she is on track with a fast finishing second to Music Magnate in the Doomben 10,000.
Waller still has several sprinters in contention for the Stradbroke Handicap and as well as Delectation, has the lightweight chance Counterattack who will only have to carry 52.5kg and is exempt from the ballot after winning the Group 3 $125,000 Sky Racing Fred Best Classic (1350m) at Doomben on May 23.
Others Waller horses still among the Stradbroke Handicap’s first acceptances are Japonisme, 55kg, Amicus, 52.5kg, Amovatio and Strawberry Boy with 53.5kg, Religify and Heart Testa with 52kg and Sir Bacchus with 50.5kg.
The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Charlie Boy ran an improved race when third in last Saturday’s Doomben 10,000 and has been allocated 54.5kg for the Stradbroke Handicap.
Stablemate Dothraki has been given the same weight following his nose second to Malaguerra in the BTC Cup and a fifth in the Doomben 10,000.
The John O’Shea trained Ghisoni couldn’t have been more impressive in winning the Group 3 $150,000 Glenlogan Park Stakes (1350m) at Doomben last Saturday, but the Godolphin trainer is still undecided if she will take her place in the Stradbroke Handicap field with 50.5kg.
Early market order for the Stradbroke Handicap at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.60 Azkadellia, $5.50 Black Heart Bart, $6.50 Ghisoni, $8 Counterattack, $9 Malaguerra, Music Magnate, $11 Under The Louvre, $15 Delectation, Takedown, $17 Japonisme, Kaepernick, Artlee. $18 Miss Promiscuity, $21 Danish Twist, Supido.
