Ascot erupted with single-minded pride on Saturday as lifelong mates and trainer-rider combo Bernie Miller and Pat Carbery celebrated the highest achievement in WA racing, capturing the Quokka with Jokers Grin.
Hayden King
Ahead of WA’s richest race that brings the Western Trilogy to a close on Saturday, sports reporter Hayden King analyses the field of 13 horses to help you pick a winner.
Flashy bay Overpass is on the brink of Ascot sprinting immortality, lining up a dominant favourite to be a three-time and only ever winner of the $5 million Kia Quokka (1200m) this Saturday.
A big field of stayers will chase glory in Sunday’s $100,000 The Jericho Cup Qualifier (3100m) at Percy Spencer Racecourse.
Cameron Newbold
Despite dual champion Overpass’ presence in the $5 million Kia Quokka (1200m), many of his rivals feel they’re in with a sniff to turn over the overwhelming favourite in Saturday’s Ascot clash.
The West Australian’s racing writers Ernie Manning and Hayden King have landed a Gloucester Park story awards winning double.
Ernie Manning
The Western Trilogy has finally arrived and will be headlined by Saturday’s $5 million Kia Quokka (1200m) with returning champion Overpass lining up for his fifth consecutive Ascot win.
Veteran trainer Steve Wolfe believes having a two-pronged attack in WA’s biggest race is a proud moment for Albany and Wolfe is confident he has two live chances in the $5 million feature.
Late Arrival has made a brilliant start to his time in WA with another slashing win at Percy Spencer Racecourse on Easter Sunday for Albany trainer Indianna Weinert
Jacki Elezovich
Star jockey Lucy Fiore claimed her second Albany Community Cup to continue her rich vein of form in the saddle, closing in on 100 winners this season.
Several Eastern States raiders were dealt blows at Tuesday morning’s $5 million Kia Quokka (1200m) barrier draw at Ascot, including two-time winner Overpass in gate 11.
Husband and wife combination Brandon and Lucy Fiore scored their biggest win together after Filthy Habits destroyed his rivals in the Wellington and Reeves Albany Community Cup on Sunday.
Quokka hat-trick seeker Overpass leads a strong interstate flavour in this year’s Western Trilogy, currently the clear $2.40 TABtouch elect for Saturday’s dash.
Machine Gun Gracie capped off a miracle first preparation, completing a rare three-year-old double in Saturday’s Group 2 $400,000 WATC Derby (2400m) at Ascot after her WA Oaks demolition a fortnight earlier.
Trainer Ciaron Maher could have another Everest contender on his hands after Jimmysstar claimed his second Group 1 for the preparation in Saturday’s $1.5 million All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
Watch Me Rock brought up a winning hat-trick in the $100,000 Good Friday Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, chinning courageous stablemate Fluro Neuro for the third consecutive time.
Albany jockey Tash Faithfull is confident she can win a second Wellington and Reeves Community Albany Cup aboard Manavendra on Sunday.
The Quokka jigsaw is finally complete after Peters Investments won a bidding duel for Saturday’s Roma Cup winner The Boss Lady to represent them in the $5 million sprinting feature on April 26.
Champion reinsman Gary Hall Jr has been bestowed the rich honour of representing Australia in the World Driving Championship held by New Zealand from November 2 to 11.
The Boss Lady virtually assured herself a start in The Quokka, winning the Group 3 $300,000 PKF Roma Cup (1100m) following a tense protest hearing, initially dead-heating across the line with Jokers Grin.
Champion mare Via Sistina continued her groundbreaking preparation, equalling the feat of Winx by claiming her seventh Group 1 this season and ninth overall in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.
Perth will be abuzz at Ascot Racecourse’s PKF Italian Raceday on Saturday, celebrating the city getting recognised as the 2025 Capital of Italian Culture in the World.
The Group 3 $200,000 PKF Roma Cup (1100m) is shaping to be the most important race of the year so far at Ascot, with a distinct likelihood four runners will line up in next fortnight’s Quokka.
Star WA pacer Magnificent Storm is in doubt for rich Gloucester Park races headed by the $1.25 million Nullarbor after he was found to have bone bruising on Friday.
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