Diplomatic force safely in Brisbane

Victorian three-year-old Diplomatic Force has arrived in Brisbane for a two-race winter campaign after a marathon float trip.

The Wayne Nichols-trained gelding made it to Queensland on Wednesday after spending almost 18 hours on the road from his base in Benalla.

His main mission will be the $1 million Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on June 7.

Nichols said he was very happy with Diplomatic Force who handled the long ordeal well.

"He's settled in terrific," Nichols said.

The Group Two Yallambee Stud Stakes winner will have his first Queensland start in the Lyndhurst Stud Classic (1350m), a set weights event for three-year-olds at Doomben on Saturday.

Nichols plans to use the race as a springboard into to the Stradbroke Hcp (1400m) three weeks later.

At his latest appearance the Oamaru Force gelding finished third to Shadoways in Group One Goodwood Hcp (1200m) at Morphettville on April 12.

He will be ridden in both races by Jason Benbow who has been aboard him nine times for three wins and three placings.

Diplomatic Force was at $26 with TAB Sportsbet ahead of the release of weights on Monday.

Casino Prince was favourite at $5 with the news owner Nathan Tinkler would extend his racing career for one more start and pay the late entry fee to put the Chipping Norton Stakes winner in the race.

Reigning To Win and El Cambio were at $6.50 while Apache Cat and Vormista, who ran one-two in Saturday's BTC Cup were at $7 but trainer Greg Eurell said Apache Cat was most unlikely to start.