MY CALL - SRIKANDI WILL WIN THE STRADBROKE

By David Fowler | Tuesday, June 3, 2014

David Fowler is the principal thoroughbred caller for Radio TAB. David, who is a keen form student and punter, has enjoyed a lifetime involvement in the racing media. His personal blog, ‘My Call’, appears exclusively on HRO.

There is no certainty in life but Srikandi is as close as I can find to a racing certainty in Saturday’s AAMI Stradbroke.

I’m in that same confident frame of mind when we declared Fiorente in last year’s Melbourne Cup.

The case is compelling … come with me.

History clearly demonstrates the Stradbroke is far from a no-go zone for three-year-olds. In fact, they have won eight of the last 30.

And the fairer sex of that age group have won four of them, La Montanga (2006), Private Steer (2003), Dane Ripper (1997) and Canterbury Belle (1985).

The point of that history exercise is to show that it’s far from impossible for an inexperienced young horse to beat the battle-hard older sprinters.

It’s primarily the weight. Srikandi will scoot to the Stradbroke barriers with 50.5kg after cruising home, yes cruising home, with 57kg aboard in the Glenlogan last Saturday week.

Since embarking on this Queensland campaign, she has kept taking quantum leaps, obviously thriving in our climate.

I appreciate tomorrow’s barrier draw will have a bearing on form analysis and subsequent markets but this girl “flies the lids” so I’m not jumping ship if she draws the car-park.

And without the final field declared, I can’t see this being a pressure-cooker Stradbroke as far speed is concerned. For whatever reason, the race has become a bit more sedate, pace-wise, in recent years.

Most of the likely contestants have racing patterns of settling midfield or further back. That will only assist Srikandi, an on-pacer.

And if it happens to rain, she handled the heavy going immaculately at the Gold Coast.

Srikandi will win the Stradbroke. The evidence is piled high for all to see.

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The Derby is a more open affair. Certainly no standout.

I’m growing in confidence that Darley’s Auberge will make the final line up. He should squeeze in with a few of the Oaks’ also rans bypassing this week’s Classic.

His Grand Prix run at Doomben was sound but the 2400m and the longer Eagle Farm straight will suit him to the letter.
I think he is excellent value at $15. You might get a dollar or two longer if you shop around.

And I’ve labelled Brazen Beau in the J.J.Atkins. He was a good thing beaten in the Sires but his finishing burst was a great indicator the mile of this week’s Group 1 won’t be a problem.

Visit me on horseracingonly.com.au for the full form preview this Saturday.

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And a tip of a different sort for Stradbroke day.

With the State budget done and dusted, Super Saturday is the perfect time for the Government to make the long awaited announcement for the financial contribution to the Brisbane Racing Club for the training and course proper refurbishment.

You can’t get odds on this one but you might win a beer or two over a shout with the boys.

There’s been more stabs at this announcement than a well-worn pin cushion but I think the mail is right.

Till next week.

David Fowler