Michael Rodd's dream of capturing his first Group One Stradbroke Handicap edged closer to reality following a perfect barrier draw for favourite Whobegotyou at Eagle Farm.The Mark Kavanagh stable was delighted when Whobegotyou draw gate nine while its "second stringer" Catapulted drew barrier 13 for Saturday's 1400-metre feature."That's perfect for Whobegotyou and it gives Michael (Rodd) plenty of options," Kavanagh's son Mark said."We could have got a better draw with Catapulted but he'll come

Michael Rodd's dream of capturing his first Group One Stradbroke Handicap edged closer to reality following a perfect barrier draw for favourite Whobegotyou at Eagle Farm.

The Mark Kavanagh stable was delighted when Whobegotyou draw gate nine while its "second stringer" Catapulted drew barrier 13 for Saturday's 1400-metre feature.

"That's perfect for Whobegotyou and it gives Michael (Rodd) plenty of options," Kavanagh's son Mark said.

"We could have got a better draw with Catapulted but he'll come in three places to 10 if the emergencies don't get runs.

"Overall, we're really happy with their draws and there'll be no excuses come race day."

Whobegotyou has been the Stradbroke favourite ever since Kavanagh decided to bring the four-year-old to Queensland and the dual Group One winner has firmed to $2.40 with TAB Sportsbet following Wednesday's barrier draw.

Catapulted, who will create history if he wins Queensland's premier sprint, confirmed his trip north following his second to Velocitea in the Group One Goodwood Handicap in Adelaide and Listed Straight Six victory at Flemington last month.

Catapulted is an $11 chance in his attempt to become the first horse to win the QTC Cup-Stradbroke double following his victory in the 1300-metre Group Two feature at Eagle Farm last Saturday.

Rodd, 28, is hoping to plug the gap in his resume with Whobegotyou after winning a Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate and a string of feature races around the country.

Rodd did his early riding in Brisbane when he was an apprentice with Bryan Guy on the Gold Coast and would dearly love to win the Stradbroke and another Group One which has eluded him, the Queensland Derby (2400m), in his former home town.

He gets his best chance yet to win the Queensland Derby when he partners the Bart Cummings-trained Dariana who drew barrier one in the three-year-old Classic.

While the Stradbroke draw left Kavanagh's son beaming, rival trainer Tony Noonan tried to shrug off a horror barrier 21 for Ortensia who is attempting to become the first mare to win the race since Capris was successful in 1936.

The Gerald Ryan-trained Melito is the new second favourite at $7.50 after drawing ideally in gate four.

Ortensia drifted to $11 following her visitor's draw but Noonan remained unfazed with the barrier and uncertainty about her starting unless she passes drug tests which were carried out last Saturday.

"I'd prefer her to be out there than in barrier one," Noonan said.

"She looks tremendous. Her work today was first class and I couldn't have her any better.

"I'd rather draw out than in as she likes to get back."

Last year's Stradbroke winner Black Piranha drew badly in 15 and is a $13 chance.

Trainer Con Karakatsanis is confident jockey Nash Rawiller will be able to get cover from his wide draw but rates this year's Stradbroke field as one of the best ever.

"He comes into 12 without the emergencies and Nash hopefully can get across and get cover," Karakatsanis said.

"It's an even race and Black Piranha is going good but I think it's the strongest Stradbroke in years."

Black Piranha won last year's Stradbroke coming off his second in the Group One Doomben 10,000 while this year he finished a close fourth to Hot Danish.