Spicy Martini races into the 2025 Stradbroke Handicap field
Veteran jockey Craig Williams believes Spicy Martini is a genuine threat in the upcoming Stradbroke Handicap, despite the fact he won’t be able to partner her again due to weight restrictions.
The filly secured a golden ticket into the race by capturing the Fred Best Classic (1350m) at Doomben on Wednesday, a race that had been delayed due to rain-affected scheduling.
Williams expertly guided the three-year-old to victory, stalking the speed before digging deep to run down Media World in the final strides. Unfortunately, her assigned weight of 49.5kg in the Stradbroke Handicap makes it impossible for him to retain the ride.
“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 collected four wins in just six career starts. Her trainer Toby Edmonds remains upbeat about her prospects in the Stradbroke, where she currently sits at $21 with online betting sites.
Edmonds picked her up online from Coolmore after they opted not to present her at auction due to conformation challenges.
“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.”
The Stradbroke Handicap has often been a happy hunting ground for progressive three-year-olds, a fact not lost on Spicy Martini’s team as they plot her path forward.
If you're interested in betting on the Stradbroke or any major race, check out these top-rated Australian betting sites for competitive odds and the latest racing promotions.
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