COUSINS’ STRADBROKE DREAM IS VERY MUCH ALIVE

By Graham Potter | Sunday, May 25, 2025

The Inflictor gave notice that he is very much on track for a run in the $3 million Stradbroke when he won a Benchmark 85 Handicap at Doomben.

The four-year-old son of the 2016 Stradbroke winner Under The Louvre had already secured a Stradbroke start, courtesy of his win in The Gateway back in December, and this latest win was a continuation of the momentum he has been building since resuming on April 26 after being allowed a three-month break from race action.

The Inflictor’s form progression since returning has been right on the mark in terms of a Stradbroke preparation … a runner-up finish first-up over 1000m … then a third place in the Listed ATC trophy over 1200m, followed by Saturdays win over 1350m … all being a considered and well measured buildup to the 1400m trip of the Stradbroke.

“Everything has just fallen into place,” said trainer Craig Cousins.

“The first-up run … I tossed up between racing in midweek or Eagle Farm on the Saturday. The rail was out ten metres at the midweek, so I decided to go to Eagle Farm, and then the run at the Gold Coast was on that (very heavy) track … but he did well.

“in this win he was pressured all the way up the straight, but he just kept kicking on. Nash (Rawiller) suited him in those circumstances because he is an aggressive rider.”

There will be a change of jockey in the Stradbroke though with Cousins committing to give Cejay Graham the ride. Graham partnered The Inflictor in that important Gateway win and was aboard the four-year-old in four of his five starts since the Gateway, the exception being in this latest win.

“I’m really excited. He’ll be a live chance in the Stradbroke,” offered Cousins.

So, the story of ‘score one for the underdog’ continues. When The Inflictor saluted in The Gateway, he was one of only two horses that Cousins had in training and he still managed to upstage several big-name, big volume stables in that race.

Of course, the enormity of the task, in relation to that stable size and purchasing power imbalance, will increase in the Stradbroke, but The Gateway result showed that difficulty can be overcome.

The Inflictor is a six-time winner from twenty-two starts … with ten minor placings and $499 100 banked in prize-money. He has won up to 1400m, on both good and soft going, and his fighting qualities have been firmly to the fore throughout his career with four of his six wins coming by margins of less than half-a-length.

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