Ladbrokes Stradbroke Day is Queensland’s premier race meeting, and Eagle Farm hosts another elite edition this Saturday. The track is rated a Soft 7 at time of publication, with showers throughout the week set to ensure it remains genuinely testing.
A full nine-race program features black-type racing from start to finish, headlined by the $3 million Group 1 Ladbrokes Stradbroke Handicap. The feature sprint has attracted a deep and competitive field, with last-start Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup winner Headley Grange installed as the early favourite.
The Group 1 J.J. Atkins provides the key two-year-old contest of the carnival, while the Group 2 Q22 adds further star power, with Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours taking on Pride Of Jenni and She’s A Hustler in a fascinating clash.
With every race carrying stakes significance and wet-track credentials set to prove crucial, it’s a program loaded with depth and betting opportunities from the first to the last.
Let’s dive into the Ladbrokes Stradbroke Day card and get this bread.
YELLOW JERSEY (2) brings excellent international form to the Listed Wayne Wilson and looks well placed in his Australian debut.
Now with the McEvoy stable, the four-year-old gelding has won three of four starts and has tremendous upside.
Following three dominant wins to start his career, he led the Group 2 Prix Du Conseil De Paris and gave a great sight only to be run down late by Convergent and Dubai Honour to finish just over a half-length third.
That’s elite form given the well-travelled Dubai Honour has won two Australian Group 1 races.
He looked very good in a recent Sunshine Coast trial where he cruised around for an easy win in the heavy conditions.
Mark Zahra will give him every chance from the good gate.
| 2. Yellow Jersey (4) 59kg11x3x |
MARFFIANO (1) started his career in fine style with a win the Ladbrokes Vobis Gold Rush at Bendigo two starts ago.
The Team Hayes-trained colt enjoyed a nice run just behind the speed before letting down powerfully to win by a half-length.
Let’s be frank, he was never beating the talented The Next Episode in the Magic Millions National 2yo Classic at the Gold Coast last start, but there was plenty of merit in the way he found the line for fifth after being forced to settle at the tail from a wide barrier.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and should settle in a prominent position for Mark Zahra.
| 1. Marffiano (4) 57kg15 |
The majority of this Group 2 Brisbane Cup field met in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup last start over 2400m here.
The best performance in that race was by BELLA MONTAGNA (7) who worked home strongly to finish a head second to Alalcance and was in front 50m past the post. Third was nearly six lengths away.
The Waterhouse & Bott-trained mare meets the winner 3kg better at the weights.
While she takes on two miles for the first time, she gives every indication it will suit based on last start and how she was a dominant winner over 2400m on a rain-affected Randwick last preparation.
She maps to get an economical run for Rachel King.
| 7. Bella Montagna (1) 53kg1×242 |
WITHIN THE LAW (10) returned in super order last start when finishing third in the Group 3 Fred Best Classic.
The Bjorn Baker-trained mare settled back from the wide barrier before producing the quickest final 600m of the race as she charged through the field to get within 1.75 lengths of the winner.
She’ll strip fitter second-up and will appreciate the rise to a mile as she did when finishing 1.18 lengths second in the Group 1 Flight Stakes.
Tommy Berry can settle closer in the run from the good draw.
| 10. Within The Law (2) 55kg7x5x3 |
PAYLINE (1) has developed a reputation as a non-winner in some circles given it’s been a very long time since his last win, the 2025 Magic Millions Syndicate.
Many will accuse me of being head of the chestnut’s fan club, but he gets his best chance in some time given he’s dropping from Group races.
Just two starts ago in the Group 2 Victory Stakes the Chris & Corey Munce-trained gelding found the line strongly, only to be nailed late by Splash Back, to finish 1.71 lengths second.
That was a rain-affected track which he prefers and gets here.
While he has a big weight to contend with, he gets the services of Nash Rawiller.
| 1. Payline (8) 60kg2×320 |
SHE’S GOT PIZZAZZ (8) produced an eye-catching performance last start in the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes and looks right up to claiming the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes.
The Moody & Coleman-trained mare stormed home from a long way back to finish a neck second.
That followed a win at the Gold Coast in the Silk Stocking over her preferred 1400m trip.
Back out to 1300m looks ideal and getting her toe in will be to her liking.
Mark Zahra retains the ride and can stalk a hot speed.
| 8. She’s Got Pizzazz (6) 57kg53812 |
TRON BOLT (4) broke through in impressive fashion two starts ago at Kensington over 1400m, where he charged home after being held up to win by 2.95 lengths.
The Chris Waller-trained colt stamped himself as a serious Group 1 J.J. Atkins contender last start when putting away his rivals with absolute disdain by 1.86 lengths on a heavy Rosehill.
That run screamed “give me a mile” which he gets here at peak fitness.
Waller has called upon his number one man James McDonald for another Group 1 tilt and I expect the gun hoop to give his mount the right run.
| 4. Tron Bolt (8) 57kg311 |
ESTADIO MESTALLA (11) looks like a genuine chance at odds in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Stradbroke Handicap.
The Joe Pride-trained gelding was last seen finishing a strong fourth, beaten 2.46 lengths, in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes at Scone, working well to the line.
He boasts an excellent third-up record and has had two trials to bring him to peak fitness.
A strong mile is often a key asset for Stradbroke contenders, and that’s a box he clearly ticks.
The reapplication of blinkers adds further appeal. He led throughout for a 1.49-length win over this trip at Randwick when wearing them for the first time.
With Chad Schofield likely to settle him in a prominent position, he should get every chance to produce a knockout performance.
| 11. Estadio Mestalla (9) 53.5kg22×64 |
HALF YOURS (1) can turn things around in the Group 2 Q22 with the rise to 2200m and a rain-affected track.
The tactical blunder to try to improve position in the back straight cost the Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained gelding his chance in the Group 1 Doomben Cup last start, yet he still boxed on well to finish 4.18 lengths fourth with Vauban just ahead of him.
He should be ready to hit his straps fourth-up just as he did last preparation when winning the Group 1 Caulfield Cup.
The wet track plays into his hands given he won his only heavy track race and has won four from seven on soft going.
| 1. Half Yours (7) 59kg1×944 |