SOUTH Australian Hucklebuck soared to equal-favouritism for Saturday’s Stradbroke Handicap after Wednesday's barrier draw. The Phillip Stokes-trained three-year-old drew the ‘pole’ in the $1.36 million Group 1, while most of the other fancied runners drew off the track.
TAB promoted Hucklebuck, unbeaten at both his starts at 1400m, as well as boasting an unblemished second-up record, to $5 equal favorite.
Hucklebuck shares that market-point with Ciaron Maher’s Srikandi, which fared badly with 17. The filly will jump from 13 if all five emergencies come out.
Spirit Of Boom, aiming to become just the fourth horse in the past 50 years to win the Doomben 10,000-Stradbroke double, drew well in gate six.
The Tony Gollan-trained horse also has to shoulder a weight that only few horses have done in the past 30 years.
Spirit Of Boom must carry top weight of 58 kg with only Rough Habit, 58.5kg in 1992, and Campaign King, 58.5kg, in 1988, carrying more weight to win the Stradbroke in the modern era.
TAB rates Spirit of Boom at $7, the same price as Rebel Dane, which drew dreadfully in gate 22.
But, trainer Gary Portelli and jockey Tommy Berry can take comfort that six of the past 12 Stradbroke winners have drawn a double-digit barrier.
Goodwood winner Smokin’ Joey, aiming to become the first horse to win the Goodwood-Stradbroke double, drew gate three, but Wez Hunter would have preferred a wide gate as the horse does not like racing on the inside of horses.
Red Tracer, searching for a third Group 1, was another who drew poorly in 16 as did QTC Cup winner Sacred Star (20) and Temple Of Boom (18)