THE QUOKKA

RACE - 1200m

CABALLUS / JIGSAW / OSCAR'S FORTUNE

Bjorn Baker is supremely confident sending CABALLUS over to Perth to compete in the Quokka after his talented sprinter claimed the Gr.1 Newmarket at Flemington in March. Victorious in the Gr.3 Rising Fast down the straight there in November, then bolted in claiming the Gr.3 George Moore at Doomben. Resumed with a fine 2nd to JOLIESTAR in the Gr.2 Expressway at Randwick before nailing his first Group 1 in Melbourne. An accomplished traveller,CABALLUS has settled in well, so in current career best form, the I AM INVINCIBLE gelding will likely take up the running from thr jump and prove incredibly hard to roll. Looms as a two-horse flat out sprinters battle.

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The rejuvenated JIGSAW has grasped a new hold on life this season after it looked like his best sprinting days were behind him. No one told the horse or trainer Cindy Alderson, who got him up to win the McEwen and the Meteorite late last year, before flying the Tasman to claim the Gr.1 Railway at Ellerslie in fine style. Returned home and kept it up, successful in the Gold Sprint at Caulfield, before a bold effort to hold off ANGEL CAPITAL in the Gr.1 William Reid. Heads west to fill a slot and expect more of the same and the MANHATTAN RAIN gelding gives no indication he's going to stop any time soon. Will be hard to haul in on a firm Ascot track.

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OSCAR'S FORTUNE does what Oscar does, which is run fast and trainer Dion Luciani seems to be having a reasonable time with the sprinter in W.A since he shifted back from the Gavin Bedggood stable when tried in Melbourne. Finished 3rd to OVERPASS in the 2024 Quokka and since coming home has finished 2nd in the Gr.3 Prince of Wales, plus Colonel Reeves, then won the Rock Magic at Ascot in March before placing in the Gr.3 Roma Cup once again. Might still have a big one left in him, but primarily as a place specialist who can get a piece of it with a determined effort.

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KARRAKATTA PLATE

RACE - 1200m

AURUM BELLE / BEATTY / JEDI DREAM

Neville Parnham trains this super talented SNITZEL two-year-old filly ARUM BELLE, who has won her first three and gapped them last start in the Gr.3 Gimcrack Stakes (1100m) at Ascot. Went strongly to the line to win on debut in February, then went full bore and found 1.5L on them in the Listed Supremacy Stakes (1000m) after a short freshen up. Possesses a big kick and once Brad Parnham allows more rein, she will be hard to hold out again.

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The slick colt BEATTY could be the main threat to the favourite after claiming the Crystal Slipper here in November with a big, dominant hands and heels victory, before resuming with a tough win to wear down the leaders in the Listed Perth Stakes (1100m) on April 4. Trained by Sean & Jake Casey at Bullbrook, the promising son of GINGERBREAD MAN now has some race experience on his side and can take it to thr filly ARUM BELLE, who he has avoided up until now.

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JEDI DREAM ended up three wide without cover in the Gr.3 Gimcrack Stakes last start, outkicked by AURUM BELLE and others with little left in the tank and we wouldn't read too much into it. Impressive surprise winner on debut by a couple of lengths and although a slow maturing type, being by COSMIC FORCE we can expect better with the race day experience now behind her. Trainer Stefan Valaha's acquisition for $130,000 from the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale appears to be a judicious investment.

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THE JOEY

RACE - 1200m

THERMOSPHERE LAD / REPOSSESSION / PETULA

THERMOSPHERE LAD is a well-performed son of EXOSPHERE who knows how to find the line. Runner-up twice at Ascot late last year before being tackled wider when 3rd there before another 2nd place. Revved up and took over to win at 1200m, managing to scramble over the line. Did best resuming at 1000m, but a solid bet 2nd-up at the six furlongs.

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The SESSIONS four-year-old gelding REPOSSESSION did run 3rd to the fine sprinter JOKERS GRIN in the Gr.3 Colonel Reeves at Ascot last November and if he can recapture his best, just has to be a chance. Close up to OSCAR'S FORTUNE over 1000m in March, but not quite so prominent when 5th in the Roma Cup at the latest.

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Simon Miller trains the NICCONI mare PETULA who was a nice two-year-old but is finding it hard to recapture that early form. Won the Breeders Classic at Bunbury in 2024 and chased solidly to finish 2nd to WEST STAR over 1200m here last year. Improved 5th showing in the Charleson Classic last start at Ascot and 3rd-up needs to go to another level. Could be the surprise package.

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