Racing
Fred Best produces Spicy addition to Stradbroke Handicap
Filly Spicy Martini has won her way into the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.
Craig Williams has declared Spicy Martini a live chance in the Stradbroke Handicap despite being unable to stick with the emerging filly in Queensland's premier race.
The three-year-old earned a ballot exemption for the feature with a determined win in Wednesday's Fred Best Classic (1350m) at Doomben, the race pushed back four days after being washed out last weekend.
Williams did the steering on Wednesday, settling Spicy Martini close to the speed before she wore down leader Media World in the final bounds to score, but the top hoop won't be able to make her 49.5kg impost in the Stradbroke.
"Any three-year-old that wins this race always runs well," Williams told Sky Racing.
"She has got a great profile. She had excuses for last time and she's a good, tough horse with no weight.
"She makes her own luck, so she is definitely going there with a realistic chance. Now it just depends on how good a ten-days she has.
"Unfortunately, with 49-1/2 (kilos), I'll have to be in the opposition on Saturday week."
Spicy Martini has now won four of her six starts and co-trainer Toby Edmonds is keen to roll the dice in the Stradbroke for which the filly is a $21 chance.
He bought the daughter of Justify online from global conglomerate Coolmore, who were unable to put her through a sales ring due to conformation issues.
"She walks like a duck," Edmonds said.
"She's a filly that has got quite a few issues and takes a lot of managing but she does well.
"There is nothing flash about her at all. She's honest, she's in the Stradbroke now with 49-1/2 (kilos) so I am very keen to run, so long as she pulls up well."
Three-year-olds have a handy record in the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) with Stefi Magnetica claiming it as a filly 12 months ago.
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