Big wet ruins Stradbroke Handicap hopes for Kaepernick and Sacred Star

SATURDAY’S abandoned meeting is likely to rule out the fancied Kaepernick from this week’s Stradbroke, with Team Hawkes expected to keep him for the QTC Cup.

Sacred Star will skip the Stradbroke and run in the QTC Cup. Picture: Liam Kidston

SATURDAY’S abandoned meeting is likely to rule out the fancied Kaepernick from this week’s Stradbroke, with Team Hawkes expected to keep him for the QTC Cup.

It’s a similar story for ­Sacred Star, who will stick with the QTC Cup.

“I have to be realistic,” Sacred Star’s trainer Tony Pike said. “He’s not as good as he was, his best hope in the Stradbroke looks to be running about sixth or seventh, so rather than going around for probably no return, we might as well run in a race where we are a good chance.”

That paves the way for Nostradamus and Traveston Girl to make the Stradbroke field.

Godolphin and Team Hawkes were on Saturday frustrated by the abandonment of The Phoenix, given they were hoping to back up Archives and Redouble in the J.J. Atkins.

It seems both are now unlikely to run.

Provocative is assured of a start in next week’s Queensland Oaks after Leon Macdonald ruled out Beluga Blue, who had an infection.

Stewards later ruled she would have remained a scratching, as only those horses scratched Saturday morning (Ambience) would be permitted to go back into the field.

Pike said he was not concerned by Provocative now having to go 3½ weeks between runs.

Racing Queensland’s Ross Gove said if fillies wanted to switch to the Derby, they would have to scratch from the Oaks first.

Provocative is a ssured of a start in the Queensland Oaks. Picture: Annette Dew

It seems most will stick to their own age group, which is a boost to the Derby contenders, given they look an even bunch.

Kebede’s trainer Matt Dunn was pleased with the decision to put the Oaks back.

“I think three weeks between runs is ideal,” he said.

Connections of Ambience and Imposing Lass had been keen to back up into the Derby, but will likely stick to the Oaks.

Originally published as Big wet ruins Stradbroke Handicap hopes for Kaepernick and Sacred Star