Fred Best Classic looms as boom or bust for Stradbroke hopefuls

THE golden ticket up for grabs in Saturday’s Fred Best Classic looms as boom or bust for many of the best backed runners in this year’s $1.5 million Stradbroke.

Counterattack is the second-highest rated runner in the Fred Best. Picture: Michael Klein

THE golden ticket up for grabs in Saturday’s Fred Best Classic looms as boom or bust for many of the best backed runners in this year’s $1.5 million Stradbroke.

Handicapper Nathan Bourke has revealed New Zealand Derby winner Rangipo is the only Best runner who would make the cut for the Stradbroke field if acceptances were taken today.

Bourke predicted an official handicap rating of 100 or better will be needed to make the cut for the June 11 Stradbroke, unless a horse can win an exempt race like the Fred Best.

That spells trouble for most of the runners in Saturday’s BRC Sprint, with only Charmed Harmony and Rock Sturdy safe from the ballot.

“There might not be the big name Group 1 winners at the top in the Stradbroke this year, but there’s a hell of a lot of horses rated 100 or better compared to previous years,” Bourke said.

“So it’s a race with really good depth.

“As a guide, the horses with a rating of 100 are sitting at about equal 37th in the order of entry as it stands.

“It generally does fall away, but I would think you don’t want to be too far off that 100 mark if you want to make the field.”

Counterattack, a $16 Stradbroke hope, is the second-highest rated runner in the Fred Best but only ranks 46th in the order at this stage.

Counterattack is the second-highest rated runner in the Fred Best. Picture: Michael Klein

If weights were released today, Delectation (112 rating) would be the 58kg Stradbroke top weight, with BTC Cup winner Malaguerra on 56.5kg.

Black Heart Bart would receive 57kg but if he were to win the Goodwood, he could leapfrog Delectation and potentially reduce the weight of those near the top.

Bourke said Stradbroke favourite Azkadellia was in the vicinity of 54.5kg-55kg at the moment, but that would change if she were to win the Doomben 10,000, for which she is $3.40 favourite after yesterday’s first acceptors.

Malaguerra was a notable 10,000 omission (being saved for the Stradbroke), as was Japonisme and Randwick Guineas winner Le Romain, who will now spell to be aimed at the Epsom in the Spring.

Zac Purton has been booked to ride Fell Swoop in the Doomben 10,000.

Despite publicly stating their preference for the Glenlogan Park Stud Stakes, Godolphin has left the door ajar for Ghisoni to run in the 10,000. UBET elevated her to $5.50 second favourite for the 10,000.

Bourke said she currently sat lower than 50th in order of entry for the Stradbroke and needed either a big rating spike or to win an exempt race like the 10,000 if Godolphin chose to chase the lucrative sprint.

Originally published as Fred Best Classic looms as boom or bust for Stradbroke hopefuls