The ultra-consistent Chris Anderson-trained Ballistic Boy is tipped to improve on his last start second at Eagle Farm returning to the track as favourite in Saturday’s 2020 Rough Habit Plate.

Jockey Brad Stewart (pictured on Cramming) rides the favourite Ballistic Boy in Saturday’s 2020 Rough Habit Plate. Photo: Daniel Costello.

One of the key support acts on this year’s Stradbroke Handicap Day card, the Group 3 $175,000 7 Racing Rough Habit Plate (2200m) is the likely grand final for the staying three-year-olds this Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival with no Queensland Derby taking place due to COVID-19.

The Rough Habit Plate field has drawn 15 smart three-year-olds with the latest markets at Ladbrokes.com.au led by the firming favourite Ballistic Boy ($2.70) drawn out in barrier 12 with Brad Stewart to ride.

The Smart Missile gelding is yet to win over further than a mile, but presents rock-hard fit and ready to prove his ability over the trip on the back of a number of good lead-up runs this prep.

The latest at the Eagle Farm track on May 23 saw him narrowly beaten when putting in an impressive effort for second behind Supergiant in the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic (1800m).

That race looks the form line to follow into the Rough Habit and the money suggest Ballistic Boy can turn the tables on his last start conqueror.

The obvious danger and second elect at Rough Habit Plate odds of $3.90 is the Michael Costa-trained Gunsynd Classic winner Supergiant drawn barrier 11 for Saturday’s rematch.

Hard working hoop Allan Chau retains the ride on the weekend and will be looking to give his mount the right run from out wide to make it back-to-back wins for connections.

Despite the size of the field just one other runner currently pays under $10 for the win with $6.50 on offer for the in-form Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Navy Cross.

Jumping from barrier four with Ryan Maloney in the saddle again, the I Am Invincible gelding chases a third straight win and is already proven at the distance.

After a narrow 1900m win at Canterbury a month ago, he travelled to Queensland on May 27 and was dominant at the Sunshine Coast in a three-years-old handicap carrying a hefty 60kg to victory over the 2200m.

Up in grade for the Rough Habit Plate, Navy Cross looks the value if the others don’t run out the distance especially coming back to 57kg at set weights.

Of the double-figure hopefuls the most likely to score an upset include the Chris Waller-trained Marakopa ($11) to be ridden by veteran hoop Jim Byrne and the talented Mishani Secret ($15) drawn in barriers nine and 10 respectively.

Kiwi-bred Sacred Falls gelding Marakopa is another after a hat-trick of wins having saluted over 1850m and 1800m at Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast respectively last month carrying big weights (58kg, 59.5kg).

Mishani Secret has also been in consistent form this campaign, the Mark Currie-trained Mahisara filly from Toowoomba having won at the Gold Coast (1800m) and Ipswich (2170m) in April before her last start third in the wet at the Gold Coast over 1800m on May 22.

Click here for the latest Rough Habit Plate 2020 betting odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.

2020 Rough Habit Plate Field