Trainer Luke Pepper and Opal Ridge hold key to $3 million Stradbroke Handicap field

The likely Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap field has dropped away, so Luke Pepper says there will be consideration given to backing up his star mare Opal Ridge into Queensland’s most prestigious race.

Win or lose on Saturday at Eagle Farm, Opal Ridge holds the key to the makeup of the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap field.

With the field for Saturday week’s prestigious Group 1 falling away and plenty of big names not taking their place, Opal Ridge’s trainer Luke Pepper says it is now possible his star mare could unexpectedly back up into the Stradbroke.

While the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara at the end of the month remains the primary aim, Pepper says a Stradbroke start could be considered if Opal Ridge dominated her opposition in Saturday’s Group 2 Moreton Cup (1200m) at Eagle Farm.

With Opal Ridge safely in the Stradbroke field already, the decision of Pepper and connections will be a key one as it will impact the hopes of other contenders on the fringe of getting a start in the Stradbroke.

Pepper says there is not a big chance that Opal Ridge will back up into the Stradbroke but, he feels, with the Stradbroke field now not looking as strong as it may have once appeared, it is certainly possible.

Isn't she a special mare, Opal Ridge!? 🔥

She continues her great fresh record and remains unbeaten in her 3 runs at Scone taking out the Ortensia Stakes under @TommyBerry21. pic.twitter.com/GXfitAgr6u

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 18, 2024

“If she came out and blew them away on Saturday, you could make an argument she should run in the Straddy,” Pepper said.

“It is something we will have to talk about after Saturday. The Stradbroke wasn’t really ever in our sights, the Tatt’s Tiara was always our main goal.

“But obviously with the horses coming out of the Stradbroke and some good horses not running, we have kept the (Stradbroke) acceptance in for Opal Ridge just to see how it all pans out and to keep our options open.

“The race (Stradbroke) has fallen away a bit. At the end of the day, it is a $3 million race staring us in the face.

“She gets in incredibly well in the weights in the Stradbroke (51kg) and she has settled in great up here in Brisbane and I’m really happy with her.

“I couldn’t give you a straight answer right now.”

Opal Ridge’s trainer Luke Pepper. Picture: Getty Images.

Saturday’s Moreton Cup has long been in the planning for Opal Ridge as Pepper says the mare is at her best with three weeks between runs, and that’s what it would give her until the Tatt’s Tiara.

The main option still remains swerving the Stradbroke and heading to the Tatt’s Tiara after Opal Ridge runs on Saturday.

Regardless of what happens after Saturday, Pepper insists his mare is ready to give the Moreton Cup a mighty shake.

Opal Ridge, who ran fifth in last year’s Tatt’s Tiara and comes to Queensland this winter off another sizzling win at her home Scone track, is rated the $4.60 second pick behind Vilana ($4.20) to take out the Moreton Cup.

The Moreton Cup gives the winner a golden ticket into the Stradbroke, not that it matters to Opal Ridge who is already safely in the Stradbroke field at number 16 in the latest ballot order.

“I think she has still got that little bit of improvement in her after Saturday’s race,” Pepper said.

“But, gee, she is going good. And I think she is better for the experience that she had up here in Queensland last year.

“I rode her at work on Thursday morning and she was jumping out of her skin.”

Originally published as Trainer Luke Pepper and Opal Ridge hold key to $3 million Stradbroke Handicap field