DAVID FOWLER'S PHANTOM CALL OF THE STRADBROKE

By HRO | Saturday, June 7, 2014

David Fowler gave a compelling phantom call of the 2014 Stradbroke at a luncheon held by the Bernborough Club in Brisbane yesterday. This is how Fowler saw the race unfolding.

Now we are ready to go … 1400m, they’re set. Line looks good.

They’re racing now. Emblems began well. River Lad out wide fast away. Srikandi … Boss rides with a big of aggression early. Red Tracer nicely away going to fourth. Hucklebuck jumped ok … just being eased behind them.

Conservatorium and Belltone were also well away at the jump. Then Sacred Star … wide, Famous Seamus a little better than midfield followed by Knoydart. Reparations getting back. Spirit Of Boom, just got a slight check there at the 1000m, followed Temple Of Boom, Lucky Hussler. Then came Velrosso, Smoking’ joey, Rebel Dane and Scorpio Queen, the outsider, whipped them in.

Around the first bend, 900 left to run and Oliver took River Lad into the lead. He strode out by a length-and-a-half from Srikanda. She settles beautifully in second. Third the inside Emblems. Red Tracer has gone into fourth, one off the fence. Conservatorium on the inside then Belltone. Huckelbuck running about seventh, five off the lead as they went to the 600m.

Temple Of Boom wide. Sacred Star its out in the car-park, then Spirit Of Boom, Knoydart. Famous Seamus inbetween runners, Rebel Dane passing a few as they turn for home. Then Reparations, Lucky Hussler. Smokin’ Joey still a long way back. Then Velrosso and Scorpio Queen.

Into the straight now, 350 left to run. River Lad … a bit of a kick there. He kicked away by a length-and-a-half. Srikando’s under pressure coming after the leader. Hucklebuck getting up on the inside. Spirit Of Boom, he starts to wind up at the right time.

Below the 200. River Lad still in front. Srikandi challenging. Boss went for the whip. Srikando got the upper hand. Hucklebuck flew. Too late.

Srikandi won the AAMI Stradbroke.

David Fowler