The biggest day on the Queensland Racing calendar has arrived.
Stradbroke Day is upon us and we’re in for a real treat as the 2025 edition of $3m Group One feature looks a very open affair.
War Machine heads the betting as he looks to become only the second horse to compete the BRC Sprint – Stradbroke double after River Lad was successful in 2014.
Grand galloper Rothfire will take his place, looking for his first win in the feature at his third attempt and Private Eye will lead out the field as he tries to go one better after finishing second in 2022.
There’ll be no shortage of quality on the day with all nine events run at stakes level and thankfully the weather is fine, so there’ll be no repeat of the Derby Day washout.
I’ve done the form, watched countless replays and have returned my detailed sections below.
Just Party just found himself with too much ground to make up when stepping out in the Fred Best Classic at his latest outing and I’m happy to stick with him.
The son of Justify was only beaten by the narrowest of margins when resuming as a gelding in the Hawkesbury Guineas and with the two runs under his belt, he looks well placed here with the rise to the mile.
A highly talented galloper, he was luckless in three of his four starts in the Spring, he was then beaten a nose at in the Group 2 Call-Presnell Stakes before heading to the paddock.
He failed to fire in two runs back in February and was subsequently spelled and given the ultimate gear change.
He looks to have returned in top order and if the gaps appear at the right time, he’ll be hard to beat.
The New Zealand visitor Pier looks likely to miss gaining a start in the Stradbroke Handicap but he looks a winning chance here in the Listed Wayne Wilson.
Already with a Group One victory to his name having won the 2000 Guineas in his first preparation, there’s no questioning his talent and he lines up off two solid performances where he’s been placed on both occasions.
The runner up at Listed level at Trentham before making his way across the ditch, he hit the line strongly last start to finish third behind Stradbroke favourite War Machine, in the BRC Sprint.
Settling well back off the outside gate, he stuck to the rail and finished off nicely.
The rise to the mile will suit and the low draw can see him settle in striking distance under Ethan Brown.
Etna Rosso has been the runner up at his past two starts and looks nicely placed here as he steps out over the two mile journey for the first time.
The Chris Waller trained gelding was doing his best work late in the Gosford Cup two starts back and last time, in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, he was strong through the line chasing home Campaldino.
He’s yet to step out past 2600m in Australia but gives every indication he’ll be run out the trip and at his seventh run this campaign, fitness certainly isn’t an issue.
Whilst he probably would appreciate some give in the track, he has been successful on firm ground and he gets the services of James McDonald.
Brave Design filled the placings in first three outings but just struggled to finish off in very heavy conditions last time.
He may still be a maiden galloper but the son of Brave Smash has competed at stakes level in each of his runs and a win looks imminent.
He was just collared late when resuming the Group 3 David Coles at Morphettville but he did hold a four length margin back to the rest.
Last start, he stepped out to 1400m for the first time and had to work hard early to cross and just felt the pinch late, but it was a brave effort to stick on for fourth.
He’ll appreciate getting back onto a firmer track, the drop back to 1200m looks ideal and with the inside draw, he’ll be hard to run down.
Appin Girl was only fair when resuming in the Chief De Beers but was found to have pulled up with a slow recovery rate so I’m happy to stick with her.
A talented mare, the daughter of Capitalist has performed very well against quality opposition and her record should read better than it does, as she’s been victim of bad luck on several occasions.
She boasts a strong record here at her home track and does race particularly well second up.
Jason Collett takes over the steering and I think she’s well suited stepping out to 1200m.
Cool Archie is looking to make it four straight wins and it’s hard to go against him as he just keeps getting the job done.
Scoring a strong win off a wide run when resuming over 1200m in heavy conditions, the colt then overcame trouble to salute second up when dropping back to 1000m on a firm track.
Held up in the early part of the straight in the Champagne Classic, he powered through once clear, showing plenty of determination to get his head down on the line.
His latest victory in the Sires Produce Stakes has been his most impressive yet and the way he extended over the final part suggests he will relish getting out to the mile.
I’m with Firestorm if they elect to start her here.
With four wins from her five first up appearances, the Chris Waller trained mare boasts an outstanding fresh record and she looks ready to go off two pleasing trials.
Winner of the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes when resuming earlier this year, she was then only narrowly denied by star stablemate Lady Shenandoah in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic.
She has won at her only start over the 1300m and with James McDonald aboard, I think she’s the one to beat.
Golden Mile has been terrific in two recent runs and looks ready to peak.
Returning this campaign as a gelding, the son of Astern was ultra impressive winning a trial back in February but just took a couple of runs to build his fitness.
He was terrific in the Victory Stakes, powering home from the back to claim third, but just looked to peak on his run late.
With five weeks between starts, he was given another trial and when settling up on speed in the Kingsford Smith, he fought gamely over the final stages, just going down by a head to Joliestar.
His races are normally spaced so the quick back up is a query but he’s in top form, he can make his own luck off the low draw and he drops 5.5kgs on that latest run.
Fawkner Park lines up trying for back to back successes in the Q22 after proving too good in last year’s edition of this race and he looks on track to do just that.
The former Irish galloper found the line well in his first two runs back behind star mare Via Sistina but didn’t have the best of luck when stepping out in the Queen Elizabeth.
He was terrific finishing the runner up to Antino in testing conditions in the Hollindale Stakes and was equally as impressive last start in the Doomben Cup as he again chased home the local hero into second.
The six year old presents in peak order, the slight rise in trip suits and he draws to enjoy a soft run throughout.