A tilt at the inaugural running of The Quokka remains on the agenda for the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace -trained Bella Nipotina.
With prize money of $4 million, The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot on April 15 is part of the Western Triology which sees slot races run in Perth for the gallops, greyhounds and harness racing.
The Sandgroper for greyhounds and The Nullarbor for harrness racing will hold their races on April 14.
Maher said Bella Nipotina remains on track for The Quokka.
“That’s the aim. We just need her to bounce back to form,” Maher said.
Bella Nipotina will get that chance when she returns to Moonee Valley on Friday night to contest the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m), the final night meeting at The Valley for season 2022-23.
The Valley is Bella Nipotina’s favourite course with the mare finishing out of the money only once in eight starts at the track.
Bella Nipotina has two wins, including the Group 1 Manikato Stakes, and five seconds at the track.
After a good first-up third behind stablemate Coolangatta in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) on February 18, Maher and Eustace were left shaking their heads after Bella Nipotina was beaten more than nine lengths when 12th behind In Secret in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 11.
“She seemed to come through it OK, but it was far from her best, so I’m not sure what to make of it, but she pulled-up fine,” Maher said.
“This has always been a target race for her, so if we can look past her last start, everything else looks in pretty good order.
“I couldn’t have been happier with her first-up and being on that firmer track whether she just thought about it next time round.”
Maher said the tighter turning track suited Bella Nipotina who besides her Manikato win ran second to Coolangatta in the Group 1 Moir Stakes at the track and second in the Manikato in 2021 behind Jonker.
“She travels well, deep into her races and she has a sharp turn of foot which seems to help her ping off the bend,” Maher said.
