If Jack Lee Steere happens to be a successful slot holder in the $5 million Kia-Quokka (1200m), he may look back on it as a sliding doors moment.
Lee-Steere has secured promising WA galloper West Star as his representative for the April 26 contest, but the Simon Miller-trained talent wasn’t initially on his radar.
Lee-Steere was focused on Sydney racing last weekend and the outcome of the T.J.Smith Stakes (1200m), but negotiations with a couple of contenders fell through.
Although somewhat disappointed he missed out on eastern states sprinters, Lee-Steere regained his enthusiasm very quickly after watching the return of West Star at Ascot.
The Playing God three-year-old oozes class and is the flag bearer of a leading stable that knows what it takes to have a quality Quokka challenger.
West Star has never missed a cheque in six starts, won black type in the Belgravia Stakes (1200m) last year and was simply superb in his first up run.
Lee Steere hopes his third crack at winning the Quokka is a successful one.
“I’m glad everyone is happy because I actually really hadn’t been following him,” Lee-Steere said to Racing WA.
“It wasn’t until I watched the T.J. (Stakes) because I was looking for a horse there, but that didn’t go to plan.
“I tried to get Headwall, but they had already made arrangements and Jimmysstar didn’t want to come over.
“I then looked at the replays at Ascot and I saw West Star’s race and I was very impressed.
“I reached out to Simon (Miller) to see if there was any interest, and he consulted the owners.
“I’m very happy and glad that their confident. He’s a bit of an unknown with a bit of x-factor.”
Like Miller, Lee-Steere is hoping it’s third time lucky in the Quokka after having Bustler and Oscar’s Fortune go around in the first two editions of the race
Miller is searching for that elusive breakthrough in the rich race after going so close before with Amelia’s Jewel twice finishing second to Overpass.
“He’s (Miller) been there before, so knows what’s required,” Lee-Steere said.
“Maybe third time lucky.”
The Kia-Quokka is Perth’s richest race and Overpass, who has never been beaten in the west, holds $2.50 favouritism.
The Sydney sprinter has impregnable Ascot form, winning the Quokka and Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) twice.
The six-year-old solidified his position at the head of the market when a gutsy second to Briasa in the T.J.Smith Stakes.
West Star is $11.
Although unsuccessful to this point, Lee-Steere is a big fan of the Quokka.
It’s developed into a mainstay of Perth’s autumn carnival, and he’s thrilled to have been involved since its inception.
“The race day, I’ve never seen anything like it,” Lee-Steere said.
“It’s so thrilling to see because it’s exactly what I wanted the Quokka to do.
“Everyone has got around it so quickly, it’s awesome.”
