“It’s a salivating race and the Brisbane Racing Club must be chuffed to get a cracking line up like this.
“I think Prince Of Boom from his good barrier over 1100 metres might be too slick for Startantes but both will run well.
“I worked them both together on the Doomben course proper on Tuesday and both went exceptionally well.”
Prince Of Boom had two weeks in the paddock after winning the QTIS Jewel at the Gold Coast on March 19 while Startantes hasn’t raced since finishing second to former Queenslander Hinged in the Group 1 Surround Stakes at Randwick in late February.
Prince Of Boom and Startantes are set for a return clash after the Mick Dittman Plate in the Group 3 Fred Best Classic at Eagle Farm on May 28 which could decide their Stradbroke fate.
“The winner of the Fred Best is exempt from a ballot for the Stradbroke so at this stage they’ll meet again in that race,” Heathcote said.
Prince Of Boom and Startantes warmed up for their returns in a Doomben barrier trial last week.
“They went hard in the trial and Prince Of Boom was good finishing second while Startantes got back and stormed home for third,” he said.