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Japanese import Danon Liberty is shaping as the key runner among the four horses set to represent the Darren Weir stable in the $1.5 million Stradbroke Handicap at Doomben on Saturday.

Weir will play his strongest hand in a Brisbane Group One race with Lucky Hussler, Voodoo Lad, Peaceful State and Danon Liberty in the top 18 on the order of entry for the Stradbroke (1350m).

Weir knew Group One winner Lucky Hussler (4) and the accomplished sprinter Voodoo Lad (12) were assured of a Stradbroke starts but was nervously waiting to see where his other entries were placed on the order of entry after first acceptances were taken last Wednesday.

Weir was relieved to find the three-year-old Peaceful State (16) and Danon Liberty (18) were inside the cut for the Stradbroke with the pair placed ahead of the strongly fancied Osborne Bulls (19) and last start Melbourne winner Moss ‘N’ Dale (20).

Weir helped enhance their positions when he didn’t declare his other entries Quilista and Ulmann as first acceptors, an indication of his desire to see Danon Liberty make his Australian debut in the Stradbroke.

Weir has not held back in his praise for Danon Liberty, a 6YO stallion a stakes winner of three races and placed six times in Group races from his 27 starts in Japan.

"He's a beautiful horse. He's a machine - a beautiful, big, strong horse,” Weir stated when describing Danon Liberty, who will carry only 51.5kg in the Stradbroke.

Weir is well qualified to judge the talent of Danon Liberty given his past success with top class Japanese imports Tosen Stardom and Brave Smash - and he likes what he has seen from the versatile sprinter miler in his work and trials.

“He's been making the right progression as he's got fitter,” Weir said.

“We're setting the bar pretty high for him first-up but he's well-weighted and is going very well.”

Danon Liberty and Peaceful State head to Brisbane on the back of a pleasing barrier trial over 1100m at Werribee last Monday.

Danon Liberty won the trial by three-quarters of a length from Peaceful State, who also gets into the Stradbroke with only 50.5kg in a race that histrioicaly suits lightly weighted three-year-olds with quality form.

Peaceful State fits the bill as he has won black type races at Morphettville in Adelaide at his last two starts in the Nitschke Stakes and Adelaide Guineas.

“The 50.5kg is really appealing to me. If the pressure is on early, he'll be storming late.” Weir said.

Voodoo Lad also trialled at Werribee after returning from Adelaide where he finished midfield in the G1 Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville.

Lucky Hussler was entered for the G2 Moreton Cup at the Sunshine Coast last Saturday but Weir decided against giving the eight-year-old two starts in seven days.

Weir has ramped up his Brisbane carnival with the impressive 3YO Lucky For All sent to Brisbane to join Grand Prix winner Heavenly Thought as his starters in Saturday’s $500,000 Queensland Derby.

Lucky For All was a tragedy beaten as a hot favourite at Sandown on May 26 when he was badly blocked for clear running over the last 400m.