Quokka hat-trick seeker Overpass leads a strong interstate flavour in this year’s Western Trilogy, currently the clear $2.40 TABtouch elect for Saturday’s dash.
The six-year-old, seen soaking up Perth’s sunlight at Kwinana Beach on Sunday, has won the previous two Quokkas at odds of $12 and $6.
With two Winterbottom Stakes triumphs in that period, his Ascot 1200m record stands at a perfect four wins from four appearances.
He will again be ridden by Josh Parr, who is among a group of six eastern states jockeys flying in for this weekend’s $5 million clash.
Fellow New South Welshman Tyler Schiller is in top form, riding both Briasa and Nepotism to Group 1 wins over the last three Saturdays in Sydney. He will ride $6 fancy Front Page, having partnered him to victory in the 2023 Kosciuszko.
Young gun Zac Lloyd, who won last month’s Group 1 Randwick Guineas aboard Linebacker, also flies in to ride Headwall ($7) in the Quokka. Lloyd rode the horse for the first time in a fast-finishing T J Smith Stakes third on April 5.
Tim Clark, a 25-time Group 1 winning hoop, is an interesting engagement for $13 hope West Star and completes the group of Sydney-siders to take mounts on Saturday.
One of the biggest names in worldwide riding ranks, Craig Williams, notched up his 82nd Group 1 win earlier this year about Mr Brightside in the Futurity Stakes.
The Victorian teams up with $26 Kiwi outsider Crocetti.
Despite also being a Victorian, Billy Egan is a name well known to followers of WA racing after booting home Western Empire ($7) in last December’s Gold Rush. However, he will take on his old partner when steers home $17 local hope The Boss Lady.
Perth Racing chief executive James Oldring said the attraction of top riders to WA was a reflection of The Quokka’s growing esteem after just two editions.
“It’s great to see yet again to not only get some of the best horses in Australia, but the best jockeys, too,” he said.
“It’s a testament to the status of the day. It’s great that we’ve had James McDonald over but in terms of depth, it doesn’t get any better.
“It’s great for the day. We’ve worked hard to raise the profile of the day and that’s resonated on the east coast.”
+ Another name made famous on the other seaboard, Swayzee, is a pronounced $1.80 favourite for Friday’s $1.25 million Nullarbor at Gloucester Park.
His reinsman, Cam Hart, will be one of four interstate drivers in the race and is joined by Kate Gath (Catch A Wave, $3.60), Luke McCarthy (Gee Heza Sport, $13) and Will Rixon (Mighty Ronaldo, $34).
+ In the Sandgroper, West On Sidney (box five, $10) and Miss Envy (box six, $7.50) are the only WA representatives defending a crack field of greyhounds.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/horse-racing/overpass-leads-interstate-assault-on-western-trilogy-with-heavy-east-coast-representation-in-slot-races-c-18442801
