FANGIRL winning the TAB QUEEN OF THE TURF STAKES

FANGIRL winning the TAB QUEEN OF THE TURF STAKES Picture: Martin King / Sportpix

The premier Queensland sprint is already breaking new ground with Fangirl, Rothfire, Private Eye and Another Wil all carrying 56.5kg.

The Stradbroke has attracted a full field of 18 plus five emergencies. The race includes:

Eight individual Group 1 winners – Fangirl, Rothfire, Private Eye, Another Wil, Desert Lightning, Sepals, Headley Grange and Transatlantic.
Fangirl needs to equal a weight-carrying record for a mare in the Stradbroke that has stood since Sweetheart won under 8st 13lbs (or 56.5kg) in 1899.
There's a 5.5kg spread between the top and bottom weights with the exception of three-year-old Regal Award on 49.5kg.
Trainer Joe Pride has three leading chances with Headley Grange, Private Eye and Estadio Mestalla.
The all-important Stradbroke Handicap barrier draw will be held tomorrow.

Headley Grange, a last start winner of the Kingsford Smith Cup, is the outright Stradbroke Handicap favourite at $5, shading Fred Best Classic winner Regal Award at $5.50 with Fangirl the only other runner under double figure odds at $6.50.

DESERT LIGHTNING winning the Ranvet So You Think Stakes at Moonee Valley in Australia.

DESERT LIGHTNING winning the Ranvet So You Think Stakes at Moonee Valley in Australia. Picture: Racing Photos

Desert Lightning, trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, won the Group 1 The Goodwood in Adelaide before he was beaten less than two lengths when eighth to Headley Grange in the Kingsford Smith Cup.

Moody told Racing And Sports Desert Lightning has taken considerable improvement from his last start defeat into the Stradbroke.

"I think he might have got under my guard a little, I might have had him a bit 'big' last start,'' Moody "He presented to win and got to the outside of (runner-up) Jimmysstar but just peaked on his run.''

Desert Lightning seems over the odds at $41 as Moody chases a second win in the Stradbroke after his success with Mid Summer Music in 2012.

The Moody and Coleman stable also has Pounding entered for the $1.2 million HKJC World Pool Q22 (2200m) and stablemates Paradise City and She's Got Pizzazz go to the Group 2 $300,000 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m).

"Pounding needs to go around to be ready for the Tattersall's Cup (2400m, Eagle Farm, June 27),'' Moody said. "Paradise City and She's Got Pizzazz are both going well for the Dane Ripper.''