The stage is set for a fascinating rematch of last year’s inaugural The Quokka, with Amelia’s Jewel again drawn wide after rattling home to just miss on-pacer Overpass.
Last year, Amelia’s Jewel eventually drew barrier 14/14 while Overpass drew eight, but both will start two spots closer this time in 12 and six respectively.
Amelia’s Jewel started a $2.80 favourite last year off a fresh Group 3 Roma Cup (1100m) win but whilst defeated in the same leadup this year, she remains a firm $3.40 favourite with TABtouch ahead of Overpass at $5 for The Quokka, now worth $5 million.
Overpass once again goes into the race fresh, having not raced since his Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) win and is looking to make it three wins from three starts in Perth having defeated three-year-olds Oscar’s Fortune and Ripcord in the Winterbottom.
Oscar’s Fortune is one of five three-year-olds in The Quokka and the only one in single figures at $6 having defeated Amelia’s Jewel in the Roma Cup. He has been popular after drawing barrier three.
Bella Nipotina ran third in The Quokka last year and once again comes here off a second placing in a Group 1, drawn wide in barrier 13 with regular jockey Craig Williams heading West to ride. She has drifted out to $7.
She was narrowly beaten by Chain Of Lightning in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) and trainer Ciaron Maher says she’s up for a tough challenge but admits she won’t get her ideal soft conditions.
“She’s obviously going as good as ever. It’s certainly no easier (than the T J), Amelia’s Jewel chinned her last year on the line, Bjorn’s horse was very good on speed, she can match with any of them on the day,” Maher said.
“If it is spicy, she doesn’t let down as well.”
Perhaps the biggest market mover since the barrier draw has been the Peter & Paul Snowden trained King Of Sparta who drew barrier four and has been met with support, into $8 with TABtouch.
Also on the card, which will be the richest day in Perth racing history, is the Group 2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) for two-year-olds.
A last start winner of the Listed Perth Stakes (1100m), Bustling is the $2.80 favourite having drawn barrier one, ahead of Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes (1100m) winner Siren Assault at $5.50, drawn barrier eight.
