The Darren Weir-trained Handsome Thief is the only runner in the Moreton Cup who can upset the order for the Gr. 1 Stradbroke Handicap.

Saturday's Gr. 2 Moreton Cup at the Sunshine Coast, previously known as the QTC Cup, has a ballot-free exemption for the winner into the Stradbroke on June 9.

Winners of the race have a bad record in the Stradbroke and none has completed the double, not even the champion sprinter Schillachi.

Handsome Thief is 26th on the current Stradbroke order of entry and would push his stablemate Peaceful State out of the field if he won the Moreton Cup.

Weir also has the well-backed Danon Liberty at number 18 to make the 16-horse Stradbroke field, and a win by Handsome Thief would push him further down the list.

Likewise a Handsome Thief victory would be a problem for trainer James Cummings with Osborne Bulls currently at 19.

Handsome Thief, to be ridden by Dean Yendall, is the $4.20 favourite in early markets.

There are 30 first acceptances for the Stradbroke, 32 first acceptances for the Gr. 1 Queensland Derby and 19 for the Gr. 1 JJ Atkins Stakes for two-year-olds.