Victorian horseman Darren Weir is set to saddle-up a three-pronged assault on the Stradbroke Handicap 2017 field in Brisbane on Saturday and believes Rageese could be an underrated hope for the stable in the Group 1.
Rageese heads to stud after a final run in Saturday’s 2017 Stradbroke Handicap at Doomben Racecourse. Photo: Steve Hart.
Sebring five-year-old Ulmann is the shortest-priced of the Weir contingent ahead of the $1.5 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) at Doomben Racecourse after a last start third to Jungle Edge in the Group 3 BRC Sprint at the track and distance on May 20.
Ulmann subsequently trialled at the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday morning for a narrow second over 850m after sitting just off the pace before working well to the line with John Allen aboard.
“Ulmann had a trial on the Sunshine Coast this morning and he went really well,” Weir told Racing Victoria yesterday.
Ultra-consistent Primus six-year-old Burning Front, to be ridden by apprentice Ben Allen, is second best of the Weir hopes in Stradbroke Handicap betting, the gelding last seen defeating Hooked at Morphettville three weeks ago in the Group 3 RA Lee Stakes (1600m).
“Burning Front just had a gallop at Warrnambool this morning and he seemed to go OK,” Weir said.
Weir is hoping for a big run by both of those horses, but also thinks a favourable gate would put his outsider Rageese in the mix as well for his swansong race before retiring to stud.
A four-year-old Street Cry stallion, Rageese gets into the Stradbroke Handicap on a 52kg light weight.
He comes back from 57kg last Saturday at the Doomben track when he had no luck running 11th to Deploy in the Group 2 Moreton Cup (1200m) as a $26 roughie from barrier 12 of 13.
“He just had no luck last week,” Weir said.
“It was just a shame he kept getting cut off all the time.
“This will be his last run before he goes to stud and if he draws a barrier he wouldn’t be the worst in the race.”
Rageese, who has won four of his 21 career starts for $563,760 in prize money to date, is after his first win since the Group 3 Chatham Stakes (1400m) over Arod at Flemington last Melbourne Cup Carnival.
His four subsequent runs have all been unplaced efforts, but even his Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) 14th to Vega Magic was better than it reads on paper after he was beaten under five lengths.
Stepping back up to his pet distance should see Rageese run a cheeky race on the weekend, the horse boasting four wins and a second from nine previous runs over the 1350m – 1400m range.
The official Stradbroke Handicap 2017 field, barriers and updated odds at Ladbrokes.com.au are set for release shortly.
