The Quokka 2023 preview & betting strategy | Saturday, April 15

The inaugural running of The Quokka will take place at Ascot Racecourse this weekend, with some of the best sprinters from Western Australia and across the country battling it out over 1200m for their share of the $4 million prize pool. It will be the first slot race of its kind in Western Australia, with 14 slot holders choosing which runner will represent them in the race, much like The Everest. Five Group 1 winners take on the race this weekend, headlined by star WA filly Amelia’s Jewel and 2023 Oakleigh Plate winner Uncommon James.

The Quokka 2023 betting odds

After taking her record to seven wins from eight career starts in the Group 3 Roma Cup last start, Amelia’s Jewel has opened as the $3 favourite with online bookmakers. The Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted-trained Uncommon James ($4.50) makes the trip to Perth off the back of winning the Oakleigh Plate and running second in The Galaxy at his last two starts. William Reid Stakes runner-up Bella Nipotina sits at $5.50, while Asfoora ($9) from the Henry Dwyer yard rounds out the runners under double figures.

The Quokka 2023 speed map

There doesn’t look to be an abundance of speed in The Quokka, with the likes of Shades Of Rose, Red Can Man and Massimo most likely to push forward and take up the running. From middle to wide barriers, we expect to see Asfoora, Uncommon James and Overpass attempt to push forward and find a prominent position, slightly better than mid-field. After drawing outside barriers, Amelia’s Jewel, Western Knight and Bustler will have drop out the back and run on down the outside with their customary finishing burst.

Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for The Quokka 2023.

The Quokka 2023 preview & form

Amelia’s Jewel will carry the weight of Western Australia on her back as she attempts to extend her career record to eight wins from nine starts. The star three-year-old will race in the slot owned by Tabtouch, who chose her as the first runner for the race shortly after winning the Northerly Stakes at the end of 2022. The Simon Miller-trained filly has risen to just about every challenge thrown her way, her only failure coming when she was beaten by Laced Up Heels in the Burgess Queen second-up last preparation. There are no concerns about the trip for this daughter of Siyouni, who has only had two starts at the Ascot 1200m for two wins. However, this is her toughest test to date, as she takes on a few proven Group 1 sprinters. Despite having drawn barrier 14 of 14, the lone filly in the race is expected to settle in the second half of the field. If the speed is genuine and Amelia’s Jewel gets clear air in the final 400m, she will finish strong over the top of the leaders late and show exactly why she is so highly regarded.

After finishing second to Imperatriz in the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley last start, Bella Nipotina will run in The Quokka for slot holders Ladbrokes, who signed her up after winning the Manikato Stakes last year. The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained mare will race in Western Australia for the first time in her career. This daughter of Pride Of Dubai is a proven performer in Group races, and despite the fact that this isn’t a Group 1, she comes into it with the best recent form at the highest level. There doesn’t appear to be much rain in the forecast for Saturday, but if the track is wet, Bella Nipotina’s chances will be boosted because she has four wins and six placings from 16 starts on wet tracks.

One of the more intriguing choices for a Quokka slot is Trix Of The Trade, who is coming off a Railway Stakes win and a sixth-place finish in the Northerly Stakes to cap off her spring campaign. The Colin Webster-trained gelding hasn’t raced at 1200m since the start of his second preparation, but he has three wins and a second from four starts at the trip. This son of Trade Fair is unbeaten when first-up, so he is expected to run well and stake his claim in the final stages.

Uncommon James goes into our numbers solely on the basis of his talent and recent form. Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted have a very smart horse on their hands, but with him drawing barrier 13 of 14 and the 1400m start at Ascot starting close to a bend, there is a good chance Ben Thompson will be caught three wide for the trip if he pushes forward. Given that Uncommon James has never settled further back than fifth in his races, we anticipate him to get caught wide and struggle against top-level sprinters at the end of the 1200m.

The Quokka 2023 selections & best bets

• 14

  AMELIA’S JEWEL

• 10

  BELLA NIPOTINA

• 3

  TRIX OF THE TRADE

• 4

  UNCOMMON JAMES

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