Melbourne filly Lumosty is the new favourite for the $2 million Stradbroke Handicap despite not yet being guaranteed a start.

The Robert Smerdon-trained three-year-old was elevated to $5 on Sunday following the news Najoom would not run.

Trainer Gai Waterhouse has told stewards Najoom has not fully recovered from a slight leg injury and will be saved for the Tatt's Tiara on June 20.

Smerdon said Lumosty would travel north during the week to run on Saturday with the Dane Ripper Stakes the back-up plan if she doesn't make the field for Brisbane's premier race.

"She'll work here on Tuesday morning and fly up Tuesday night," Smerdon said.

"If she doesn't make the field she'll run in the Dane Ripper, but it's looking closer every day to her getting a run."

The filly will carry 50.5kg with Singapore-based Australian Corey Brown booked to ride.

"He's a star jockey. He's naturally light and will cope with that weight without a problem," Smerdon said.

"He rides that direction, rides those tracks well and he was a no-brainer really."

Lumosty has won both her starts this autumn, her most recent against older horses in the Listed Straight Six at Flemington.

Ball Of Muscle gained automatic entry to the Stradbroke with his QTC Cup win on Saturday but his trainer Joe Pride said he was unlikely to run.

Pride has Rock Sturdy and QTC Cup third placegetter Kuro as potential runners.

The Chris Waller stable has Doomben 10,000 winner Boban and three-year-old Delectation as confirmed Stradbroke starters with Catkins and Strawberry Boy qualified but more likely to head in different directions.

El Roca, who is also above Lumosty in the Stradbroke order of entry, is doubtful after his fifth in the QTC Cup.

The Stradbroke field has been reduced from 18 to 16 this year because of the switch to Doomben while Eagle Farm undergoes renovations.

West Australian horse Black Heart Bart is the TAB's $7 second favourite for the Stradbroke with 10,000 placegetters Charlie Boy and Generalife next at $8.