Well, she's in but can she win it? Boom Victorian three-year-old Ortensia has gained a start in next week's Stradbroke Handicap with a gritty win in the mud at Eagle Farm, but the big question remains...Can she beat history and take out the QTC Cup-Stradbroke double? It's never been done. If the track remains heavy,Ortensia's task will be immense. If the track is good or dead, she'll have a much better chance. Big-race kingpin Glen Boss,who's been languishing in Melbourne for the past few weeks

Well, she's in but can she win it? Boom Victorian three-year-old Ortensia has gained a start in next week's Stradbroke Handicap with a gritty win in the mud at Eagle Farm, but the big question remains...Can she beat history and take out the QTC Cup-Stradbroke double? It's never been done. If the track remains heavy,Ortensia's task will be immense. If the track is good or dead, she'll have a much better chance. Big-race kingpin Glen Boss,who's been languishing in Melbourne for the past few weeks while the Qld winter carnival has been hitting the high spots, is rumored to have been offered the Ortensia ride in the Straddie. Craig Williams got her home at EFarm but he's now committed to All Silent.

The QTC Cup win was Ortensia's 7th from 11 starts. She raced just off the pace to the turn before careering to the front. She defied late challenges by the outsider Maxisun and last year's Straddie winner Mr Baritone. The placings and margins: Ortensia 52kg ($2.10) (C.Williams) defeated Maxisun 54kg ($15) (B.El-Issa) by a short head with Mr Baritone 56kg ($13) (D.Oliver) a long head away in third place.

The Caulfield Cup is now the #1 target for Qld Oaks winner Purple. Trainer Peter Snowden is not tempted to run the filly in the Qld Derby next Saturday. He says she will now spell and be aimed at the Caulfield Cup. Purple proved she's one of the best mudlark fillies to race in Australia in modern times by turningthe Grp 1 classic into a one horse race over the last 200m. Ridden by Kerryn McEvoy, Purple was one of the best to jump and enjoyed a cosy run one-out to the turn before taking control in the straight. Promising filly Nothin' Leica Cat finished strongly to claim 2nd with the outsider Walk In The Park running well for 3rd, though soundly btn.

Latest betting market (TAB Sportsbet) for next Sat's Qld Derby 2400m at Eagle Farm:

SHOCKING 4.00 1.75
BID SPOTTER 5.00 2.00
LARRYS NEVER LATE 7.00 2.50
ORCA 8.00 2.75
BERLIOZ 8.00 2.75
COURT RULER 10.00 3.25
ROCKDALE 10.00 3.25
MARKUS MAXIMUS 12.00 3.75
NOTHIN LEICA CAT 12.00 3.75
IZONIT 14.00 4.25
ZA MAGIC 14.00 4.25
OLD JOCK 17.00 5.00
ASTRO GAINS 17.00 5.00
RESUME 17.00 5.00
LACADA SIREN 17.00 5.00
PRIX DU SANG 21.00 6.00
ZUPACOOL 21.00 6.00
AWESOME PLANET 21.00 6.00

USA news...Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra will not run in the Belmont Stakes, opening the way for jockey Calvin Borel to return to Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in his quest for a personal Triple Crown. Co-owner Jess Jackson said today the filly "deserves a well-earned vacation."

Shoot Out will back up in the Grp 1 TJ Smith after making it two wins from two starts with an outstanding win in the QTC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm....Sent out at double figure odds after a five length debut win at the Gold Coast, Shoot Out came with a barnstorming run from the tail of the field to reel in the leaders and draw clear.

Damien Oliver will miss the Stradbroke Handicap meeting after copping a suspension of 8 meetings at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Oliver, booked to ride Mr Baritone in the Stradbroke, was suspended for careless riding on Rampant Lion in the Grp 2 PJ O'Shea Stakes. He pleaded guilty. His suspension begins after he rides at Sandown on Wednesday and will expire at midnight on June 14.

Dwayne Dunn received his fourth suspension of 2009 when outed for 16 meetings after his winning ride on Naadji at Flemington. Naadji survived a protest but Dunn was suspended until June 17 for allowing his mount to shift ground near the 200 metres and take the running of the Pindari Prince.