Transatlantic earns 2025 Stradbroke Handicap shot after Kimochi ruled out
Kimochi has been scratched from the Stradbroke Handicap just one day out from the prestigious $3 million Group 1, with retirement looming for the accomplished mare.
The Gary Portelli-trained runner suffered a tendon injury during a routine track gallop on Friday, prompting Racing Queensland stewards to rule her out after their pre-race checks.
A proven Group 1 competitor, Kimochi claimed the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes last year and placed three times at the elite level as a three-year-old. She was purchased by Yulong for $2.2 million and is expected to begin her breeding career there.
Kimochi’s recent fourth-place effort in the Kingsford Smith Cup confirmed her top-class ability, and she was widely considered a genuine threat to Stradbroke favourite War Machine, now firming at $3.10.
Her scratching follows Firestorm’s earlier withdrawal, with that mare now set to run in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes.
The change opens the door for Transatlantic, second emergency, to take a place in the final field. The Tony Gollan-trained gelding, a $14 chance, enters the race off a Listed win in the Spear Chief Handicap, and will carry 51kg with Angela Jones aboard.
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