Yellow Brick gets a second Stradbroke Handicap chance

After missing the race by a narrow margin last year, Yellow Brick is back for redemption in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm.

Trainer duo Tony and Maddysen Sears were left disappointed in 2024 when their horse failed to gain a start as second emergency. Now, Yellow Brick lines up for the $3.10 favourite War Machine as a $34 underdog.

“Last year we were devastated when he was second emergency and didn’t get a start,” Maddysen Sears said.

“So, this has been his sole goal this time in.”

Yellow Brick performed well through the 2024 winter and continued to show form during the Sydney spring, including a fourth and a third in the Five Diamonds series, capped off by a placing in the Five Diamonds at Rosehill.

After a brief Magic Millions appearance in January, his preparation focused solely on peaking for this Saturday’s feature event.

He was below his best when 11th in the BRC Sprint (1350m), but followed up with a maintenance trial over 1000m at Doomben on June 3.

“The horse is flying,” Sears said.

“He had a nice little tick over trial last week just so he would technically be third-up into the Stradbroke.

“And Andrew galloped him on Tuesday morning and he said that was the best he’s ever felt.

“Rather than race him, we’ve done a lot more work with him at home and given him the trials.

“He looks amazing and he’s ready for Saturday.”