Australian Bloodstock hold Stradbroke Handicap key with slot deal to go until eleventh hour

The Stradbroke Handicap field has been whittled down to 33, with connections of Dream Hour set to wait until Sunday before deciding if they will race their horse or do a deal with another in the $3m Stradbroke Handicap.

Connections of Stradbroke Handicap slot holder Dream Hour will make an eleventh hour decision in what will play a major role in shaping Queensland’s greatest race next week.

Dream Hour won his way into the $3m handicap by winning The Gateway during the summer, however, new rules dictate that connections of the horse can do a deal with another horse outside of the Stradbroke field to bring it into the race.

Australian Bloodstock boss Jamie Lovett confirmed there had been significant interest in the slot, with a number of horses on the cusp of getting a Stradbroke run.

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Freedom Rally currently sits 21st in the order of entry with the connections of Roots confirming they will instead run in the Dane Ripper on the day, with question marks over Opal Ridge and Vilana.

The Stradbroke will have 18 runners.

With a number of key players running at Eagle Farm on Saturday, Lovett said they would wait until Sunday before making a final decision on whether they run Dream Hour or attempt to cut a deal with another horse.

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Jamie Lovett faces a juggling act. Picture: Michael Klein

It is understood Yellow Brick is another runner in contention for the slot.

“It’s a good problem to have,” he said.

“We are happy to wait and see what plays out on Saturday. There is an opportunity to talk to a few people about it, we have had a fair bit of interest.

“There are a few factors that we need to take in and that will all be a lot clearer after the weekend is done and dusted. At the end of the day, our obligation is to our owners, so we need to do the right thing by them.”

Dream Hour, who last ran fourth in a 1200m open handicap at Doomben on May 29, is $101 in betting with TAB, while Freedom Rally is $11, despite not being assured of a start.

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Originally published as Australian Bloodstock hold Stradbroke Handicap key with slot deal to go until eleventh hour