Stradbroke Handicap day: Tips from the Big Bookies

Here is this week’s edition of Tips from the Big Bookies.

Racenet's stable of bookies have got stuck into the form and delivered their tips on a big day of racing.

They have given a tip for the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap and J.J Atkins, The Q22 along with their best and value bet for the day.

Matthew Campbell – Betr

STRADBROKE – THINK ABOUT IT – Race 8 No.9 (Eagle Farm)
Just keeps stepping up and keeps winning so no reason to jump off him now, especially as he comes from weight-for-age back to a handicap conditions. As a result he drops back to 54kg.
J.J ATKINS – MAKE A CALL – Race 7 No.4 (Eagle Farm)
Yet to win in nine starts but as we know should have won the BRC Sires' Produce so going with that race as the best form race. Back up to 1600m will be a clear benefit as well.
THE Q22 – WITHOUT A FIGHT – Race 6 No.3 (Eagle Farm)
Went past them as if they were standing still in the Lord Mayors Cup and will be better here second-up. Will eat up the extra 400m and if the track firms up that won't be an issue either.
BEST – JAYKAYANN – Race 3 No.9 (Sandown)
She's won three in a row and her last two wins have been over this distance of 2400m and she has been extraordinary. Treated them with disdain here a month ago winning by six lengths with some in hand.
VALUE – TOKENIST – Race 7 No.6 (Sandown)
Unwanted in betting at Geelong when second-up, but still won comfortably. This is now harder but last prep he was competitive at Group level so not that concerned.

Don Harley – TAB.com.au

STRADBROKE – CONVERGE – Race 8 No.5 (Eagle Farm)
Couldn't get out until it was all too late when second to Think About It in the Kingsford Smith Cup. Think he can turn the tables on that horse despite the weight swing.
J.J ATKINS – TANNHAUSER – Race 7 No.6 (Eagle Farm)
James McDonald booking combined with strong early money taken by us swings me this way. Margins don't do last start win justice. Most impressive.
THE Q22 – HUETOR – Race 6 No.1 (Eagle Farm)
Was enormous when winning the Doomben Cup three weeks ago. Looked to have more in the tank when fending off Numerian, so the extra is 200m no concern.
BEST – PASSEGGIATA – Race 6 No.11 (Randwick)
Two blitzing trials leading into this return from a spell. Combined 18 length margin as she looks sharp and ready to go. Hoping the price gets out late.
VALUE – COME BELLA FILLE – Race 5 No.6 (Randwick)
Returns to Randwick and back to the mile where she is one for one at the track and distance. Is four of five on the soft ground, so track conditions should suit.

Sam Phillips – Sportsbet

STRADBROKE – OPAL RIDGE – Race 8 No.20 (Eagle Farm)
Looks the value play in the race. Have her marked about half the price. The top two in betting will be hard to beat, but they don't look great prices at current quotes.
J.J ATKINS – AZULA – Race 7 No.14 (Eagle Farm)
Had no right to fight back and win like she did last start. Jockey upgrade, will be positive from the draw and should have no problem running a strong mile.
THE Q22 – WITHOUT A FIGHT – Race 6 No.3 (Eagle Farm)
Without A Fight showed the turn of foot of a top-class horse last time out when dominating. Tipping he can go on with it here and announce himself as a spring contender.
BEST – METRO LEGEND – Race 2 No.3 (Morphettville)
Looks much more like an odds on pop. Should roll forward from the gate and be too strong for these. Looks to be the stand out bet of the day.
VALUE – SUPER PURSUIT – Race 9 No.15 (Randwick)
This Richard Collett-trained galloper just needs one to come out and get a run. If he does, he won't be missing a place as his form last preparation is the A-grade for this.

Joshua Bell – Ladbrokes

STRADBROKE – CARDINAL GEM – Race 8 No.10 (Eagle Farm)
Racing well which is evident by his back-to-back wins before earning a trip north. Drew wide in the BRC Sprint which may have cost him the race as he stormed down the outside with scintillating late sectionals.
J.J ATKINS – TANNHAUSER – Race 7 No.6 (Eagle Farm)
He's a colt with a fair amount of upside and he came from last to win at Randwick after almost two months in between runs. Chris Waller and the James McDonald combination appeals as does barrier six.
THE Q22 – WITHOUT A FIGHT – Race 6 No.3 (Eagle Farm)
Brained them in the Lord Mayor's Cup two weeks ago and the step up in distance suits. He is a horse with untapped ability and although this is a field with some quality horse flesh, I think he is simply better.
BEST – PASSEGGIATA – Race 6 No.11 (Randwick)
Exciting filly resuming having won two of three in her short career. Won two trials leading into this first-up assignment by nine lengths in each and this looks a perfect race to kick start her campaign.
VALUE – SOAMI – Race 2 No.3 (Randwick)
Two runs have been fair but will be ready to peak third-up from a spell. Closed out last campaign when beaten 1-1/4 lengths behind Think About It, the favourite in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.

Kevin Kemp – Pointsbet

STRADBROKE – THINK ABOUT IT – Race 8 No.9 (Eagle Farm)
Massive performance to win the Kingsford Smith Cup last start, drops from the 59kg at weight for age back to 54kg. Only has to repeat his last start performance to be winning here.
J.J ATKINS – MIRACLE OF LOVE – Race 7 No.17 (Eagle Farm)
Think this horse shapes to be strong at the end of a mile which could find out a majority of the field here. Both starts has been incredibly strong late and through the line.
THE Q22 – DUAIS – Race 6 No.12 (Eagle Farm)
Massive run when only beaten 1-1/2 lengths first-up in the Doomben Cup. Can only improve second-up and stepping out in trip, she should be second pick in the market.
BEST – ARKTIKA – Race 4 No.2 (Sandown)
Think this horse is a class above this field, has numerous ratings throughout her career that outstrip anything ran by her opposition. Comes out of a solid first-up performance in a stronger race.
VALUE – SELINO – Race 4 No.3 (Eagle Farm)
Hitting a good track at his preferred trip the key to this gallopers chances. Has been hitting the line strongly in the Sydney Cup and the Andrew Ramsden when on his unfavored soft going.

Chris Gregory – Playup

STRADBROKE – HAWAII FIVE OH – Race 8 No.18 (Eagle Farm)
Ticks so many boxes. On the minimum weight, drawn well, and meets. His racing pattern also a big plus here in the big field where a lot of his rivals may have too much ground to make up.
J.J ATKINS – SOLIDIFY – Race 7 No.10 (Eagle Farm)
Sandwiched by Chrysaor and co when in the straight and cluttered badly which severely stopped his momentum. I saw enough in his final 200m to suggest he has a lot more to offer.
THE Q22 – WITHOUT A FIGHT – Race 6 No.3 (Eagle Farm)
Returned in wonderful style in his first run since the Melbourne Cup last year with a dominant win. He looks to have acclimatised well and can't see why he won't be competitive again this week.
BEST – OZZMOSIS – Race 1 No.3 (Randwick)
Got the job done at Gosford on debut and never got out of second gear going to the line. Will only take improvement from that run and think he will be very hard to beat on Saturday.
VALUE – SEPTEMBER RUN – Race 9 No.1 (Eagle Farm)
Finds herself in a winnable race. Has raced at the top level all of her career and drops way back in grade on Saturday. Provided she can carry top weight she has come up a good each-way price.

David Mackay – TopSport

STRADBROKE – HAWAII FIVE OH – Race 8 No.18 (Eagle Farm)
Dominated the Hawkesbury Guineas and given a peach of a ride in the Fred Best to beat off Yellow Brick. The draw and weight are favourable for this colt. Strong claims!
J.J ATKINS – SNAPBACK – Race 7 No.3 (Eagle Farm)
I am backing up my tip for the BRC Sires' Produce here where he just couldn't fight off Cifrado late. Due for a change in luck, will be right in the mix on pace again.
THE Q22 – DUAIS – Race 6 No.12 (Eagle Farm)
Eye catching fourth first-up in the Doomben Cup where she got back and finished strong to the line. Will be fitter and down the bottom of the weights here should benefit late.
BEST – KIBOU – Race 4 No.1 (Randwick)
Useful gelding coming back from a long spell and injury. His last race he knocked over Golden Mile and has been trialling well of late. Hoping he can return to the form of last year.
VALUE – CHERRY TORTONI – Race 9 No.3 (Sandown)
Punters are still trying to work out how he didn't win last start when steered inside and held up on the worst part of the track. Under Billy Egan here should see a different tact and fitter horse.

Clint Wallis – Neds

STRADBROKE – GENTLEMAN ROY – Race 8 No.7 (Eagle Farm)
Went back from a wide gate in the Kingsford Smith Cup which is not his go so forgiving of that run. Last time he was in a 1400m race he crossed the line first only to lose out on protest.
J.J ATKINS – SNAPBACK – Race 7 No.3 (Eagle Farm)
Had little luck in his first two runs this prep down south and then had a tough run last start in the BRC Sires' Produce when wide throughout from gate 14. Still managed to be right there in the finish.
THE Q22 – DUAIS – Race 6 No.12 (Eagle Farm)
Ran well in the Doomben Cup but was just found a little wanting late which given she was first-up wasn't hugely surprising. Will no doubt have taken benefit from that run.
BEST – YELLOW BRICK – Race 2 No.1 (Eagle Farm)
Miles too good in the Gold Coast Guineas first-up and probably settled just one pair too far back last start and was left with too much to do. Would have given the Stradbroke a shake had he made it into the field.
VALUE – TYCOON EVIE – Race 9 No.8 (Eagle Farm)
She was a moral beaten first-up and subsequently ran well in the Hawkesbury Crown. Got caught wide in the Silk Stocking last start and was a brave effort to hang on and still run a place.

Zach Littman – BetNation

STRADBROKE – CARDINAL GEM – Race 8 No.10 (Eagle Farm)
Has been as consistent as they come lately and after drawing barrier six, he will look to stalk the leaders and will be sweating on a run in the lane. Jordan Childs knows this horse well and I think he's in the mix.
J.J ATKINS – SNAPBACK – Race 7 No.3 (Eagle Farm)
The one-time Golden Slipper favourite looks primed to strike. Will appreciate the step up to the 1600m after hitting the line well last start after being beaten only narrowly after being vulnerable late.
THE Q22 – LUNCIES – Race 6 No.7 (Eagle Farm)
His first two runs this preparation have been as solid as a rock and the rise to 2200m will suit him even better. Nash Rawiller will look to slot in the three or four back in the running line from barrier eight.
BEST – OPAL RIDGE – Race 9 No.15 (Eagle Farm)
It was a powerful finish last start in decent company at Scone. This filly has extreme amounts of upside and the fact it continues to be backed adds further confidence.
VALUE – DRAGONSTONE – Race 8 No.6 (Randwick)
Finished in the middle of the pack last start at Randwick against similar opposition. Second-up, he looks primed to strike after drawing barrier one. Has the turn of foot to win a race of this calibre.

James Thomas – Palmerbet

STRADBROKE – THINK ABOUT IT – Race 8 No.9 (Eagle Farm)
I thought he might have been up against it last start but he lifted to another level again and won his eighth race in nine starts. He drops 5kg for on his last start Group 1 victory in the Kingsford Smith Cup.
J.J ATKINS – SNAPBACK – Race 7 No.3 (Eagle Farm)
Four starts for four placings and gets his chance to break his maiden tag in a Group 1. There is not a heap of pace drawn underneath him so Mark Zahra should be able to get across comfortably.
THE Q22 – HUETOR – Race 6 No.1 (Eagle Farm)
Has been improving at each run this preparation including a last start victory in the Doomben Cup. He beat Kovalica there which then came out and belted them in the Queensland Derby.
BEST – WEWILLROCK – Race 8 No.13 (Randwick)
Kiwi raider that was excellent on debut in Australia behind Devil's Throat which has come out and won again since. He will take improvement from that run and has drawn a great barrier.
VALUE – I AM LETHAL – Race 4 No.3 (Randwick)
Has always shown promise and this looks a suitable kick off event. Two trials in preparation for this and has drawn well in barrier four. Should get a soft run and can present at the right time.

Matthew Steed – Bet365

STRADBROKE – CONVERGE – Race 8 No.5 (Eagle Farm)
Loved his run in the Kingsford Smith Cup when coming off an eight week break. Strips fitter for this and think he will be suited with more room to move here.
J.J ATKINS – MAKE A CALL – Race 7 No.4 (Eagle Farm)
Arguably would have won the BRC Sires' Produce with a clear run after coming off a six week freshen up. Would think he should improve fitness wise leading into this.
THE Q22 – WITHOUT A FIGHT – Race 6 No.3 (Eagle Farm)
Hard not to be taken by his first-up run in the Lord Mayors Cup a fortnight ago his first run since the Melbourne Cup. Looks to have plenty of upside moving forward.
BEST – WEWILLROCK – Race 8 No.13 (Randwick)
Shaped well at his first Australian run when splitting two subsequent winners. Should roll forward and without looking like mad speed on paper. should get control and take plenty of catching.
VALUE – PARTICIPATOR – Race 4 No.7 (Randwick)
Has always promised plenty and while he has yet to measure up in town, hard not to be impressed by his win over the Wagga carnival. Kept fresh for this.