Stradbroke Handicap Day takes place at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Brisbane on Saturday the 7th of June, 2014. With a full black type program and plenty of non-racing attractions, this prestigious day of racing is the biggest event at Eagle Farm all year. The Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap is the main feature event of the day, with the Group 1 Queensland Derby and Group 1 JJ Atkins also taking place.
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With a total of nine races held on the day, racegoers can also look forward to the Group 2 Brisbane Cup and Group 2 Dane Ripper along with four supporting events. The first race of the day takes place at 11.30AM, with the three Group 1 races being run from 2.20PM-3.40PM.
Race Times
Race 1 11:30 AM AMBASSADOR TRAVEL HAMPDEN STKS 1200m
Race 2 12:00 PM JAMES BOAG’S STRAWBERRY ROAD 1600m
Race 3 12:35 PM BEST SECURITY DAYBREAK LOVER 1600m
Race 4 1:10 PM EVERGREEN TURF LIGHTNING HCP 1000m
Race 5 1:45 PM VIRBAC HEALTH DANE RIPPER STKS 1400m
Race 6 2:20 PM TATTS GROUP J.J. ATKINS 1600m
Race 7 3:00 PM CHANNEL SEVEN QUEENSLAND DERBY 2400m
Race 8 3:40 PM AAMI STRADBROKE HCP 1400m
Race 9 4:20 PM CROSER BRISBANE CUP 2400m
There are lots of non-racing attractions also taking place on Stradbroke Handicap Day, including the climax of the Fashions on the Field competition and a range of musical entertainment. Registration for Fashions on the Field takes place from 10.30AM-12.30PM, with heats beginning at 12.45PM and the winner announced at 1.20PM. Held in the Peacock Lane Fashion Marquee, this competition offers up a total prize pool of over $10,000.
In terms of other entertainment, Nat and Stu take to the stage at 10.00AM, with Lounge Party performing on the main stage at 12.45PM and Tackleberry finishing off the day at 4.00PM. There are a range of dining packages available for Stradbroke Handicap Day, including tickets for the Johnnie Walker Lounge, Nova Lawn Party, Guineas Restaurant Dining, and much more. General admission tickets are available for $30 through Ticketek or $35 on the gate, with pensioners and kids under 18 free.
News:
Many of his rivals would envy him, but jockey Ben Melham is lamenting Smokin’ Joey’s Stradbroke Handicap barrier.
The last-start winner of the Group One Goodwood Handicap, Smokin’ Joey will start from gate three at Eagle Farm on Saturday, a draw Melham says poses a few problem.
“I would have preferred him to draw off the track because he’s a horse that resents horses being outside him,” Melham said.
“I have probably got no other option but to go back and we’re going to be last probably.”
Smokin’ Joey stormed home out wide to win the Goodwood (1200m) in Adelaide last start and connections paid a late entry fee to run him in the Stradbroke (1400m).
The Stradbroke has a capacity field of 18 plus five emergencies and Melham is banking on a strong speed to give Smokin’ Joey his chance in the $1.38 million race.
“He just turns it up in amongst them and won’t go at all. I think that (going back to last) is our only option unfortunately we’re left with, and get him to the outside,” he said.
“The only thing in our favour is the Stradbroke is always a high-pressure race and hopefully they can break themselves up front early and give us every chance to get over the top of them.”
Smokin’ Joey has had a barrier trial at Cranbourne since his Goodwood win to keep him ticking over for the Stradbroke and Melham says the six-year-old is in great order.
The gelding was rated a $17 chance after Wednesday’s draw with three-year-old’s Hucklebuck and Srikandi joint favourites at $5.
“He’s really happy in himself and I know when he’s happy he runs well,” Melham said.
“But in saying that he’s got to have things go his way. If things go his way he can be impressive. If they don’t he can look disappointing on face value.”