Stradbroke Handicap loses another key runner in Tuvalu

New equal topweight Tuvalu is out of next week’s Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.

Tuvalu wins the Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool.

The Stradbroke Handicap has lost another key runner with Victorian Group 1 winner Tuvalu to miss the race.

It adds to the growing list of Group 1 stars to not contest the race, with the likes of I Wish I Win, Think About It and Private Eye already ruled out of Saturday’s week’s Group 1 at Eagle Farm.

With the attrition in the field, Lindsey Smith’s Wangoom Handicap winner Tuvalu was likely to be the new equal topweight with Bella Nipotina.

Both of those horses had been allocated 55.5kg, with the prospect of weights being raised following some high-profile withdrawals.

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Tuvalu, the 2022 Group 1 Toorak Handicap winner, had been set to contest last Saturday’s Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm but was a race day scratching.

“Underwent a pre-race veterinary inspection at the request of the trainer after it was observed to be coughing and was subsequently declared a late scratching,” the stewards’ report read.

Smith has now decided to spell Tuvalu in Queensland rather than race him in the Stradbroke.

Tuvalu’s trainer Lindsey Smith. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images.

The horse has recovered well, but missing the Kingsford Smith made things difficult from a Stradbroke point of view.

Tuvalu will spell in the Queensland sun and prepare for a spring carnival campaign.

Originally published as Stradbroke Handicap loses another key runner in Tuvalu