The inaugural edition of Perth’s richest race – the $4 million The Quokka (1200m) – lights up Ascot Racecourse on Saturday afternoon and below we have our 2023 The Quokka best bets and racing tips on the buy-in feature.
Bella Nipotina represents Ladbrokes in Saturday’s 2023 The Quokka race field in WA. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Fourteen weight-for-age stars from around the country face off in the first edition of The Quokka field with markets on the slot race at Ladbrokes.com.au dominated by Simon Miller‘s Group 1 winning filly Amelia’s Jewel ($2.90).
Among the dangers are the talented Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Bella Nipotina racing for Ladbrokes.com.au who has been heavily backed in from $5 to $3.90 and star Oakleigh Plate winning Queenslander Uncommon James ($6).
So, will one of the single-figure fancies in The Quokka betting salute or is there an upset pending from the likes of the resuming Railway Stakes champ Trix Of The Trade ($18)?
See below for our insider The Quokka tips before heading to Ladbrokes.com.au to lock in your selections on the $4 million showdown.
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The Favourite: #14 Amelia’s Jewel ($2.90 at time of publish) – BET NOW
Amelia’s Jewel has led The Quokka betting right from day dot and was the first to secure her slot in the new $4 million buy-in event. The Simon Miller-trained filly now continues to dominate the markets and looks the hard-to-beat favourite after her easy romp home fresh in the Group 3 Roma Cup over 1100m here. She’s the local with all the experience and a gun record at the track. Second-up she presents fit and will relish the extra distance. Her campaign last time in was excellent with wins in the Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m) and Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m). Has won seven of eight and arguably should be undefeated. Barrier is the only concern (14), but otherwise she’s ticking all the boxes.
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The Danger: #10 Bella Nipotina ($3.90 at time of publish) – BET NOW
The money is coming hard and fast for Group 1 winning mare Bella Nipotina to return to her best heading west for The Quokka. The gun daughter of Pride Of Dubai from the Maher/Eustace stable is drawn to get the run of the race from barrier six. She chases her first win since the Group 1 Manikato Stakes over this distance at The Valley in the spring and presents fit fourth-up and ready to fire. She has been competitive all prep including her last start second in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m). Could just be her time to shine in a winnable event for big money.
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Best Roughie: #3 Trix Of The Trade ($18 at time of publish) – BET NOW
A forgotten horse in the markets, Trix Of The Trade racing fresh looks way overs at close to $20. He won the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) here before his sixth to Amelia’s Jewel when only two lengths beaten over 1800m here last December. Colin Webster’s Trade Fair four-year-old is a gun fresh horse undefeated first-up (3:3-0-0). He loves this track (10:5-2-1) and is at his pet distance (4:3-1-0). Drawn to get the run of the race from barrier four and looks a danger at a big price.
