The Brett Cavanough trained The Monstar has been included in the 2018 Stradbroke Handicap betting as a $31 chance with Ladbrokes.com.au after being announced as a late entry.

Aquis Farm will put up the $45,000 late entry fee for The Monstar when final acceptances are taken on Wednesday for the Group 1 $1.5m Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) to be run at Doomben on Saturday.

The Monstar was not in the original nominations for the 2018 Stradbroke Handicap but his all the way win in the Group 2 $175,000 Moreton Cup (1200m) at the Sunshine Coast last Saturday allowed him to be exempt from the ballot for the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival’s premier sprint race.

Aquis Farm was quick to come to the party and confirmed on twitter that they would combine with Cavanaough to have The Monstar take his place in the final Stradbroke Handicap field.

“Aquis are delighted to be able to support local Hunter Valley trainer @cavanoughracing and get #TheMonstar a late entry into next weekend’s #Stradbroke,” Aquis posted on Twitter. 

“Brett has been a good supporter of Aquis and we are delighted to be able to reward supporters and help regional trainers.”

Cavanough was excited to have The Monstar announced as a Stradbroke Handicap runner and thanked Aquis Farm via twitter.

“We’re thrilled that @AquisFarm is giving us the opportunity to run #TheMonstar in the #Stradbroke, covering his late entry.

“The stable have been supporters of Aquis and it is great to see that support reciprocated. It is a dream of mine to win a Stradbroke,” Cavanough tweeted.

The good news is that The Monstar will get a start in the Stradbroke Handicap, the bad news is that the winner of the Moreton Cup, previously known as the QTC Cup, has never won the Stradbroke Handicap.

The Monstar was right at home for his win in the Moreton Cup on a soft 6 rated track at the Sunshine Coast last Saturday when he chalked up his ninth win on a rain affected track out a total of twelve overall wins, and with showers forecast for the latter part of the week, the seven year old looks certain to get another soft surface at Doomben this weekend.

The Bjorn Baker trained three year old filly Champagne Cuddles sits at the top of the Stradbroke Handicap market order at $4.50 with Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of last year’s winner and Kingsford-Smith Cup winner Impending at $5.50, Care To Think at $6.50 and Perast at $7.50.

Early betting for the 2018 Stradbroke Handicap at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.50 Champagne Cuddles, $5.50 Impending, $$6.50 Care To Think, $7.50 Perast, $8.50 Danon Liberty, $12 Invincible Gem, $14 Osburne Bulls, Santa Anna Lane, $16 Spieth, $18 Peaceful State, $21 Shillelagh, Voodoo Lad, $26 Crack Me Up, $31 Foxplay, Super Cash, The Monstar, $34 Burning Passion, Endless Passion, $41 or better the rest.