This Saturday Eagle Farm Racecourse will host Queensland’s biggest day of racing, the all Black-Type meet headlined by the Stradbroke Handicap 2014.

A capacity field of middle distance sprinters is engaged for this year’s $1.36 million Group 1 AAMI Stradbroke (1400m) set to run as Race 8 at 3:40pm.

Of those four are at single figures to win and break the run of double figure roughies in the classic.

The last horse under $10 in the markets to win the Stradbroke was Sincero ($7.50) in 2011.

Before them was Black Piranha ($3) for their first in 2009 who won again 12 months later but at $20.

They are the only two since 2008 however with a string of Stradbroke Handicap winners in that time jumping at juicy odds with Mr Baritone (30/1 in 2008), Mid Summer Musice (30/1 in 2012) and Linton (25/1) last year.

Current co-favourites at $5 are up-and-coming young filly Srikandi and fellow three-year-old Hucklebuck who are drawn in barriers 17 (into 14) and one respectively.

The two top fancies are at a weight advantage getting in on the 51kg minimum.

The 58kg top weight meanwhile is also the second pick at $7.50 with Tony Gollan’s Doomben 10,000 Spirit Of Boom winner looking to become the seventh horse in the past 11 years to complete the double.

Former favourite Rebel Dane is then at $8 to improve on their Doomben 10,000 fourth and overcome the outside barrier on Saturday the way four before them since 1983 have done.

As for the longer priced chances with genuine claims for an upset the most notable include reigning Tattersall’s Tiara winning mare Red Tracer ($10), market mover Knoydart ($11) who will benefit from any rain about and The Goodwood winner Smokin’ Joey ($17) looking to bring their form to Brisbane.

So should you stick to the favourites in Stradbroke betting? Or is there another upset on the cards this year?

1^st

#1 Spirit Of Boom ($7.50)

While they’ve got the big weight (58kg) giving seven kilos to the favourites, still think it is going to be class and experience shining through for the Stradbroke result. Gollan’s local six-year-old retires at the end of this and what a way to go out with a…boom. They’ve got a gun gate (six) and the ideal lead-up form. Racing career best and was a nice effort to win the Doomben 10,000 last start. Michael Rodd is in the saddle again and will ride this grand galloper well. If they handle the weight they handle this field.

2^nd

#10 Knoydart ($11)

Money is coming for O’Shea’s in-form four-year-old and we can see why. They were a fast finishing fifth in the 10,000 and drop back from 59kg to 53.5kg here which is a huge advantage and one that will see them give their last start conqueror Spirit Of Boom a real run for their money here. Also boast two Group 1 thirds in Melbourne earlier this year behind Lankan Rupee so form is there to ignore. Statistically the one to beat too as seven of the past 11 Stradbroke Handicap winners placed at Group 1 level before their win, but only one hose in that time won at that level.

3^rd

#4 Red Tracer ($10)

Really nice price for Chris Waller’s talented mare who is after her third Group 1 win. Hasn’t raced since a third in the Queen Of The Turf in Sydney over the mile on April 19 but has residual fitness with two trials wins in between including a good one last week at Rosehill over 1030m. Ultra-consistent with a 50% strike rate over the 1400m (10-5-3-1) so distance is ideal. Also has a 42% win rate and 81% Place Rate so should be right up there in the end. Also has three wins from four starts over the 1400m at Eagle Farm, including last year’s Tattersall’s Tiara, so plenty of boxes ticked.

Whether you’re backing or sacking our Stradbroke Handicap 2014 betting selections, make sure you get the guaranteed best prices on the big one this weekend by betting online at Ladbrokes.com.au.

Ladbrokes are also offering exclusive Best Tote or SP + 20% markets on your winnings for the Stradbroke on Saturday so don’t miss out!

*All odds quoted are Fixed Win from Ladbrokes.com.au and subject to change