The inaugural edition of the $4 Million slot race at Ascot, The Quokka (1200m), comes around this Saturday, with a high quality field assembled.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2023 The Quokka.
Market 💰: View the Odds for The Quokka
2023 The Quokka Speed Map
Despite it being a $4 Million race, there isn’t much early speed engaged here, provided the emergencies don’t get a run. Shades Of Rose and Massimo look the early leaders, with Red Can Man sliding across from the wide gate. With him pressing forward, that gives the potential for Asfoora to get the drag across, and in turn give a drag across to Uncommon James.
2023 The Quokka Runner Preview:
1 Kementari: From a betting perspective, he is just a ridiculous price at $26+ in early markets. He has a fab record when coming to WA and has been set for the race for a while. His last run came here during the Carnival late last year in the Gold Rush and his run was enormous against the pattern. Trials have been super and if the gate can be used to advantage, I think he’ll only run well.
2 Overpass: Scratched from the TJ Smith and comes here first up. At his best, he is a pretty good sprinter, but he can be an enigma. I think that is why he has been gelded, so his focus is purely on racing. Stable are very good when it comes to big money races and he can press forward should they desire. Knockout hope.
3 Trix Of The Trade: Intent deluxe for the first up run with Blinkers on first time. Railway winner from last year who trialled up okay behind Amelia’s Jewel at Lark Hill and could have resumed in the Roma Cup but the stable have put their chips in for this race first up. He maps to get a perfect run, he’s unbeaten fresh…definite winning hope.
4 Uncommon James: Very genuine animal for the O’Dea/Hoysted camp that won the Oakleigh Plate before going to The Galaxy where he didn’t have the best of luck in the straight behind Mariamia, who ran a super race in the TJ Smith. A win here and he all but secures a slot for The Everest. If the map I have predicted plays out as planned, he lands outside the speed and will be hard to beat.
5 Massimo: Just not sure he is going any good. Market said he had three legs fresh in the Rock Magic and ran accordingly before being wide no cover in the Roma Cup and tiring late. He’ll get a much better run in transit this time around…but he’s not going well enough to win.
6 Red Can Man: He’s a pretty solid animal for Steve Wolfe but 1100m is a trip he barely runs so a 1200m here against some elite horses, I can’t entertain him as a winning threat.
7 Resortman: Market said he would run well fresh in the Roma Cup and he ran accordingly, working home with real purpose from the back behind Amelia’s Jewel. He is capable of settling much closer in the run and fitter, up in trip, he’s a must for multiples.
8 Hot Zed: He’s a very genuine animal who deserves his spot in the field due to that fact, and does map to do no work in the run, but class/quality wise, he is a level or two below them. Can’t see him threatening.
9 Western Knight: The empire of Bob Peters has been crumbling since the split with Grant & Alana Williams. A win here with this horse would stop that narrative. He ran a very good second three weeks ago at the trip/distance, but it was in a benchmark race. He’s a very progressive animal…enough to win this? I am saying no.
10 Bella Nipotina: She’s very likeable. Been set for the race for some time and comes here ready to rock and roll off the back of an excellent second in the William Reid when a closing second to a classy Kiwi mare in Imperatriz. Maps to get a lovely run in transit…the big tick is the rain forecast for Thursday/Friday. If it hits and this track is in the Soft range, she becomes the big threat to the star filly.
11 Shades Of Rose: Jury has to be out on her. Thought she was plain in The Galaxy first up and then was poor in the TJ Smith. Drops back a bit in depth IMO and maps to get a sweet run in transit…her best is good enough. Just not sure she is at that level.
12 Asfoora: She is one of a handful that I think can win this. Enormous in defeat fresh in the Oakleigh Plate when bombing the start before going to The Galaxy where you can easily make a case that with clear air, she wins the race instead of a fourth to Mariamia. She’ll press forward and a drop of rain is perfect for her.
13 Bustler: Market said it would be a barrier trial in the Roma Cup and he was ridden accordingly, dragged back to last, and worked home with real purpose, clocking the best last 200m of the race. He has the potential to settle much closer in the run and be strong at the end.
14 Amelia’s Jewel: Putting the barrier draw drama aside, just purely from a race field perspective, she is the most brilliant of this lot. It was essentially a trial for her in the Roma Cup and what a trial it was. As is the norm with her, she can hit a flat spot, but then she goes through her gears and savages the line, winning comfortably. Any hint of luck from the gate and she’ll be too good.
15 Comfort Me (First Emergency): SCRATCHED
16 Acromantula (Second Emergency): 1000m specialist that will lead them up if he gets a run, but he’ll be stopping on the turn.
17 Startrade (Third Emergency): Did an outstanding job last prep, highlighted by a place in the Railway. Wasn’t too bad fresh in the Roma Cup but he’ll struggle against these.
18 Titan Blinders (Fourth Emergency): Solid horse but not at this level.
2023 The Quokka $100 Betting Strategy:
Having a $100 Boxed First Four at 5.95%, with the numbers 1-3-4-9-10-12-13-14.
