The 2019 Stradbroke Handicap is the main event at Eagle Farm Racecourse on the weekend and below we’ve got our insider tips for the time-honoured Group 1 classic.

A full field will do battle in his year’s Group 1 $1.5 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) and despite the 57kg top weight, Tony Pike’s Doomben 10,000 / Kingsford-Smith Cup double winner The Bostonian remains favourite in betting at Ladbrokes.com.au.

The flying Kiwi certainly has the right lead-up form, but can he become the first horse in Queensland racing history to complete the treble with that weight?

The dangers in Stradbroke Handicap betting in 2019 include Godolphin’s Kingsford-Smith Cup third placegetter Trekking with the weight advantage for the rematch and the Toby Edmonds-trained BRC Sprint winner Tyzone who proved he was up to the 1400m distance of the Stradbroke.

So will the best in betting salute or is there an upset Stradbroke Handicap result pending this Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival?

2019 Stradbroke Handicap Tips

To Win

• #13 Tyzone ($9.50)

Going for the local hope with the Gold Coast-trained Tyzone at good odds to upset the interstate raiders. Trainer Edmonds has always been confident this Written Tycoon five-year-old will get the 1400m distance and certainly the horse put the haters to bed last time out winning the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben by 1.75 lengths. Should easily extend here at the roomier Eagle Farm track to keep the good form going. Carried 57.5kg from gate 10 (of 13) last time out and helping him out for this rise-in-class is the drop back to just 53kg. Has never had less than 54kg on his back and has won with up to 61kg so he is very well-weighted here. Tommy Berry aboard is a plus and the duo are likely to go back and finish hard over the top of them late.

Each Way

• #1 The Bostonian ($4.80)

Can’t have the favourite for the win with the 57kg despite the outstanding lead-up wins. Dual Group 1 winner in Brisbane having defeated quality rivals in both the 10,000 and Kingsford-Smith Cup. Were those wins based on the horse’s talent or the outstanding rides from Michael Cahill and if the latter, can Cahill reproduce that same magic for a third time? Weight doesn’t worry the trainer, if the horse handles it he probably makes history with the treble. Undefeated (five-from-five) in Queensland so certainly loves it here. Will go close if not all the way.

Danger

• #3 Despatch ($16)

Big price going for the ultra-consistent Despatch who is four-from-four this campaign. The query is that 1400m distance and it’s a genuine question for this Tony McEvoy-trained Written Tycoon four-year-old. The bay has been flying in Adelaide including winning the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) on May 18 with 56kg. Drops to 54.5kg and gets the inside run from barrier one. Will need to work to stay out of traffic from the gate, but is going too good not to take into consideration. The Goodwood / Straddie double was achieved for the first time last year. Can it be done again?

Roughie

• #18 Pretty In Pink ($15)

This filly will be absolutely flying with just 49.5kg. The John O’Shea-trained Sebring three-year-old made the Stradbroke field in the eleventh hour winning the Group 2 Moreton Cup (1200m) last Saturday at Doomben with 53kg on her back defeating Brave Song narrowly. Backs up here and has certainly faced some quality competition before. Is she as classy as O’Shea’s 2013 Stradbroke winning filly Private Steer? Maybe not but with those kilos and fitness on her side she’s worth a look for exotics.

To back our Stradbroke Handicap best bets at the right winter racing odds visit Ladbrokes.com.au today.