Bart Sinclair's TAB Stradbroke Handicap Preview

 
The race history of the TAB Stradbroke underlines the task facing topweight Private Eye at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Private Eye has to carry 57kg in the $1.5 million sprint.

Since racing went metric in 1972 only two horses have carried 57kg or more to win the tough 1400 metres sprint. They were a pretty nifty two – Rough Habit (1992) and Campaign King (1988).

Private Eye’s record pales in comparison to that pair but he is an Epsom Handicap winner even though he carried only 52.5kg compared to the 57kg handicap in the Stradbroke.

In May last year Private Eye came from last to nail Apache Chase late in the Queensland Guineas over a mile at Eagle Farm.

He was back at Eagle Farm two weeks ago when finishing eighth of 16 runners in the weight-for-age Kingsford-Smith Cup over 1300 metres.

After a wide passage all the way Private Eye still made up solid ground late to be beaten just over two lengths.

The rails draw should allow Private Eye to settle a little closer to the leaders.

Eleven Eleven looks certain to start favorite which brings its own piece of Stradbroke history. Only six favorites have won in the past 30 years.

The Sydney five-year-old has emerged as the top fancy on the back of his strong third in the Kingsford-Smith against the pattern of the race dominated by the on pace duo Apache Chase and Paulele.

Eleven Eleven is well placed at 1400 metres. He has won three of his six goes at the distance. Barrier five is another big asset. Seven of the 10 winners at the Queensland Oaks meeting last week jumped from gates between one and four.

Three-year-olds have a good record in the Stradbroke. This age group have won the sprint on 34 occasions. This year Vilana and Startantes will be the youngest runners.

Vilana qualified for the Straddie via his victory in the Fred Best Classic at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago. That was just his sixth race start so there may be improvement coming to a much tougher assignment against older, seasoned opposition.