Form analyst, RIC CHAPMAN, looks at every runner in Saturday’s $4m The Quokka with horse racing tips for the first four. Read on to see how he maps – he has included the potential for a damp track in his thoughts. Good luck!
Ascot R8 – $4million The Quokka (WFA) 1200m
1. KEMENTARI (5) 103x54737x
T; James Cummings / J: Damien Oliver (58.5kg)
What a grand old stager. Is a rising 9YO but he doesn’t know it and gets a great opportunity here. May get back a little too far but on his day he can fly late. Has to be considered as he has great first up stats. Big threat.
2.OVERPASS (8) 557x26690x
T: Bjorn Baker / J: Josh Par (58.5kg)
Resumes here and has proven a very strong horse first up in the past. Was 6th in The Everest beaten 2 lengths and can sit up in about 5th spot here then finish hard. Will take beating.
3. TRIX OF THE TRADE (4) 1220x1316x
T: Col Webster/ J; Troy Turner (58.5kg)
Classy WA galloper who is a Gr 1 winner over a mile. As a young horse was tried as a stayer but has clearly proven to his connections that he is a top flight sprinter. Will get back but from this gate may be close enough to launch a late attack. Has claims.
4. UNCOMMON JAMES (13) 11x111x212
T: Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/ J: Ben Thompson (58.5kg)
Has raced 9 times and has won 6 of them, one at Gr 1 level. Of the other 3, he has run 2nd in all including latest when not far off brilliant mare Mariamia in Gr 1 Galaxy over 1100m. Looks the winner.
5. MASSIMO (3) 33x3109x70
T: Team Gangemi / J: Clint Johnston-Porter (58.5kg)
Generally goes fast early but two runs this time up have been poor and not reached the lead at any stage. This is too rich.
6. RED CAN MAN (11) x648205x22
T: Steve Wolfe / J: Shaun McGruddy (58.5kg)
Could be a dark horse here. Goes well this track and is up to this grade. Chased home the sensational Amelia’s Jewel last start over 1100m in Roma Cup. Meets her better and is much fitter.
7. RESORTMAN (7) 19111340×4
T: Michael Lane /J: Brad Rawiller (58.5kg)
Solid galloper this grade and should be running on. Placed in the Gr 1 races last campaign here and first up run rattled home for 4th to Amelia’s Jewel over 1100n. Fitter and likes this trip more.
8. HOT ZED (2) 6x49146x71
T: Lou Lucini /J: Chris Parnham (58.5kg)
Gets in here with a great draw which enables him to be on the fence in 4th spot saving ground. And comes off a solid win at Pinjarra over 1300m in good time. This is harder though.
9. WESTERN KNIGHT (10) 7x1221x12
T: Adam Durrant / J: Willy Pike (58.5kg)
Lightly raced handicapper with good form but in restricted grade. Is fit and can gallop but these will test him.
10. BELLA NIPOTINA (6) 5x1219x302
T: Ciaran Maher & Dave Eustace / J: Ben Melham (56.5kg)
If it is wet she will win. And don’t discard her if track good. Has a great will to win. Has won a Gr 1 sprint and is always competitive.
11. SHADES OF ROSE (1) P211118x09
T: Bjorn Baker / J: Rachel King (56.5kg)
On her day is outstanding but not fired a shot since being tossed into the deep end in The Everest where she ran 8th. Is better than last start 9th in the Gr 1 TJ Smith but place show is best here.
12. ASFOORA (12) 13x1711x34
T: Henry Dwyer /J: Mitch Aitken (56.5kg)
Good Victorian mare who can run. Is very honest and was 3rd to Uncommon James in the Gr 1 Oakleigh before heading to Sydney and running home hard into 4th behind Mariamia in the Gr 1 Galaxy. Suited this trip. Big threat.
13. BUSTLER (9) 1x11125x6
T: Neville Parnham / J: Steve Parnham (56.5kg)
Lightly raced but talented 3YO. Saying that, his last 3 starts have been against Amelia’s Jewel and she has trounced him each time. Did make good ground late when 6th to her last start when resuming over 1100m.
14. AMELIA’S JEWEL (14) 111x1211x1
T: Simon Miller / J: Pat Carbery (54.5kg)
Is the best horse in WA and may be the best in the country. Has a devastating finishing burst and a will to win that is 2nd to none. Will be rocketing home. Big, big chance.
15. COMFORT ME () x90x4523x5
T: Rhys Radford / J: – (58.5kg)
I can’t believe he is a reserve for this race. He is well up to this level and was a Gr 1 runner up last November. Place show if he gains a run.
16. ACROMANTULA () 2013452213
T: Team Pearce /J: – (58.5kg)
Racing in super fashion and if he starts could be the pace in the race. Led and run down late by Amelia’s Jewel last start over 1100m. Had easily beaten Red Can Man start prior.
17. STARTRADE () 33174230×0
T: Dan Morton /J: – (8.5)
Ran well this grade last year but most recent runs have been very ordinary. Not keen.
18. TITAN BLINDERS () 22504×5737
T: Team Gangemi/J: Ryusei Sakai- (58.5kg)
Been around for a while and can gallop but this will test him. Not keen.
