Loaded has been nominated for the 2014 Strawberry Road Handicap. Photo: Daniel Costello

An exciting list of just nine runners have been nominated for an appearance in this weekend’s Listed Strawberry Road Handicap (1600m) at Brisbane’s Eagle Farm Racecourse, including talented four-year-old Choice Bro.

Claiming five wins and four minor places from 24 competitive race starts so far, Choice Bro is yet to forge much of a competitive run of form over three appearances so-far in 2014, but will carry positive form into the Strawberry Road Handicap after displaying a good turn of foot to finish third in the Listed Spear Chief Quality (1500m) last weekend.

A noted performer in winter events, the Choisir gelding won the Group 1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) in his native New Zealand, before crossing the ditch to finish third in the Listed Hampden Stakes (1200m) most notably as a two-year-old.

Also included in nominations for the 2014 Strawberry Road Handicap (1600m) is in-form sprinter Loaded.

Claiming a total of eight wins and seven minor places from his 28 competitive appearances on course to date, Loaded was unlucky to finish second in the TAB Early Quaddie 3.y.o+ (1400m) first-up on April 26^th, and has continued to build in form and class in finish third in the Listed Scone Cup (1600m) and fourth amongst classy company in the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1615m) last time out on May 24^th.

Also a notable performer in races over the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, the Flying Nicko gelding claimed three impressive victories back-to-back throughout the 2013 edition, including the Listed Tattersall’s Mile (1600m).

Leading the charge of the locals, trainer Robert Heathcote is confident Magic In Motion is the one to beat in this weekend’s Strawberry Road Handicap.

Amidst a largely consistent 2014 racing preparation, Magic In Motion overcame a disappointing run for twelfth in a minor event over 1200 metres first-up with an impressive performance for second behind Elusive Storm in the Cyril Gilbert OAM bm85 (1400m) on April 26^th and comfortable win in the Grinders Coffee Handicap (1350m) on May 10^th.

While unable to handle the late pace when ninth in the Group 3 Glenlogan Park Stakes (1350m) last time out, Heathcote is confident the step back in class and step up in distance of the Strawberry Road Handicap is precisely what the Magic Albert mare requires to return to the winner’s circle this weekend.

Steadily building to the task at hand over four starts this time in, South Australian Starkiato is a leading chance for success in the 2014 Strawberry Road Handicap, despite finishing seventh in the Lord Mayor’s Cup last time out.

Securing a total of six victories and a further five minor places over his 28 competitive starts so far, Starkiato was unable to figure in competitive position in two events at Morphettville first-up this year, but returned to impressive form when finishing second to Rhythm To Spare in the Group 3 RA Lee Stakes (1600m) in his first Queensland appearance on May 10^th.

Likely to jump favourite in the 2014 Strawberry Road Handicap, well-trialled six-year-old Transporter has returned to racing in typically strong form this season; finishing fourth in the Spear Chief Quality most notably last time out.

Consistently appearing in major racing events throughout the last two years, the Commands gelding finished third in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) and second in the Lord Mayor’s Cup before overcoming poor running position and an early check to finishing a fighting third in the 2014 edition of the Strawberry Road Handicap.

Allknight Saint, Bingo Bobby, King Kamada and Veewap complete nominations for the 2014 Strawberry Road Handicap.

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2014 Strawberry Road Handicap Nominations