The $5 million The Quokka race serves as a good lead-up to the summer’s Winterbottom Stakes race.
The Quokka is a new slot-race held at Ascot Racecourse in Perth for the first time in April of 2023 when won by the Bjorn Baker-trained Overpass in a thrillingly narrow upset.
Overpass (pictured at Flemington in 2022) won the inaugural The Quokka race in 2023. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The now $5 million feature is the richest race held in Western Australia and is a sprint event run over 1200m.
It is also Australia’s fifth richest horse race after increasing from $4 million to $5 million in stakes ahead of the second edition.
The Quokka Day follows on from the elite racing action of Sydney’s ‘The Championships’ held on the first and second Saturdays of April and headlined by the $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on Day 2 at Randwick.
The attention then heads west for The Quokka, which is a weight-for-age showdown.
The Quokka field is open to 14 slot holders at a cost of $200,000 each.
In a huge $5.5 million initiative by Perth Racing, The Quokka forms part of The Western Trilogy series, which brings thoroughbred, harness and greyhound races together for Australia’s first tri-code slot-racing event.
The race is named in honour of the quokka, dubbed the “happiest animal on Earth”, for which the state’s Rottnest Island is famous for.
The other races making up the massive autumn racing weekend are The Nullarbor (harness racing) and The Sandgroper (greyhounds).
The Quokka joins a growing list of popular slot-racing events in Australia that have been boosted in popularity since Racing NSW introduced the now world-famous $20 million The Everest (1200m).
Overpass successfully defended his The Quokka title in 2024 and so remains the sole winner of the event.
The second edition of the $5 million The Quokka ran at Ascot Racecourse in Perth on Saturday April 20, 2024 and was won in style by Bjorn Baker’s reigning champ Overpass ($6).
2024 The Quokka Results
The official The Quokka 2024 results and finishing order will be known on Saturday April 20, 2024 and published below.
- 1st: #1 Overpass
- 2nd: #8 Amelia’s Jewel
- 3rd: #10 Oscar’s Fortune
The Bjorn Baker-trained Overpass ($6) continued his flawless record at Ascot with the gun galloper charging up the middle to prove too strong again with an impressive title defence in The Quokka 2024 results. For the second year in a row he defeated beaten favourite Amelia’s Jewel in Perth’s richest race and remains the only The Quokka winner to date. He is also unbeaten at Ascot winning this year’s The Quokka race first-up since his Winterbottom victory last December.
2024 The Quokka Odds
The updated The Quokka 2024 betting odds will be provided below once racing markets open for the multi-million dollar Perth race.
Early market betting odds on the 2024 The Quokka will be displayed below once available. Odds are subject to fluctuation. For current odds on all of our live markets, please visit ladbrokes.com.au.
The Quokka Race Info
- Date: Saturday April 20, 2024
- Track: Ascot Racecourse
- Distance: 1200m
- Conditions: Weight-for-age
- Status: Special Conditions (Slot-Race)
- Prize Money: $5,000,000
- First Run: 2023
The Quokka Betting
The Quokka betting odds are dominated by Perth’s best sprinters and star interstate raiders travelling over for the now $5 million WFA feature.
Horses that perform well in the summer’s Perth Festival of Racing events including the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) sit higher up The Quokka markets for the autumn.
There was an upset in the inaugural edition in 2023 with Overpass saluting at The Quokka odds of $12.
Overpass (2023) completed The Quokka – Winterbottom Stakes double and also finished runner-up in that year’s Group 1 Doomben 10,000 results in Brisbane.
Overpass returned to successfully defend his The Quokka title in 2024 at $6 defeating the beaten favourite Amelia’s Jewel for the second year in a row.
The Quokka Field
The Quokka race field features 14 sprinters with spots in the event open for slot holders at $200,000 each.
Horses that perform well in prominent Australian Group 1 races including the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m), Lightning Stakes (1000m), Oakleigh Plate (1100m), Newmarket Handicap (1200m), William Reid Stakes, and the VRC Classic (1200m) during the Melbourne Cup Carnival are likely to be considered for a The Quokka slot.
Another good guide to The Quokka field is Perth’s Group 3 $1.5 million The Gold Rush (1400m) run in December.
Potential lead-up races into The Quokka field include the local Group 3 Roma Cup (1100m) and Sydney’s Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m).
2024 The Quokka Race Field
The official The Quokka 2024 field of final acceptances and barriers will be published below once confirmed.
The 2024 The Quokka final field is now locked in with last year’s trifecta of Overpass, Amelia’s Jewel and Bella Nipotina back looking to dominate the lucrative slot race again.
The Quokka 2024 barrier draw took place on Tuesday the 16th of April, 2024 from 10:30am (AEST) with the reigning champ Overpass drawing well in gate six for his title defence.
2024 The Quokka Slot Holders (Horse)
- Ladbrokes (Super Smink)
- Lindsey Smith Racing (Wild Belle)
- Loloma Farms (Oscar’s Fortune)
- Magic Bloodstock Racing (Malkovich)
- Morton Racing (Saloon Bar)
- Peters Investments (Ripcord)
- RAM Racing Syndicate (Overpass)
- Rapid Equine Breeding (Triple Missile)
- Seacorp / Hallowell (King Of Sparta)
- SKY Racing (Petula)
- Sportsbet (Bella Nipotina)
- TABtouch (Amelia’s Jewel)
- The Chief Racing Syndicate (Almighty Class)
- Trackside NZ / Perth Racing (Waitak)
Confirmed 2024 The Quokka Horses
Below punters can stay up-to-date with the latest confirmed The Quokka horses in 2024 that have secured a slot in the 14-horse feature race at Ascot.
1. OVERPASS
- Slot Holder: RAM Racing Syndicate
- Age: 5YO
- Gender: Gelding
- Breeding: by VANCOUVER from WALKWAY
- Trainer: Bjorn Baker
- Jockey: Joshua Parr
- Barrier: 6
- Owners: Mr S G Darby, Mr J Georgatsoulis, Mr P Halfhyde, Mr T Kingston, Mr W E Payne, Ms S G Wilson, Mr B E Wright, Jimlee Racing, Knuckleheads Racing, Darby Racing Walkway, Cantbreakmystride, Jacknife Racing
- Latest 2024 The Quokka Odds*: $4.40 – BET NOW
He won the first edition in a thriller at double-figures but won’t be found at that price in 2024 as Overpass, now a five-year-old with another Group 1 to his name after success in the 2023 Winterbottom at Ascot in the summer, looking to remain the sole The Quokka winner to date.
2. KING OF SPARTA
- Slot Holder: Seacorp / Hallowell
- Age: 5YO
- Gender: Gelding
- Breeding: by I AM INVINCIBLE from OCTAVIA
- Trainer: Peter & Paul Snowden
- Jockey: Blake Shinn
- Barrier: 4
- Owners: Yarraman Park Stud, Grant Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Carpe Diem, Mr H G Cope, Mrs M G Cope, China Horse Club Racing Pty Ltd, Gall Bloodstock, Mr R S Dufficy, Mr P C Barnett, Mr G J Stambe, Mr F Stambe, Bon Ami, Mr R De Courcy
- Latest 2024 The Quokka Odds*: $7.50 – BET NOW
Team Snowden’s son of I Am Invincible, King Of Sparta, gets a shot to head West and dominate in The Quokka race 2024 having secured the slot held by Mt Hallowell Stud. A genuine Group 1 contender over his career, he was enormous fresh running away at the Gold Coast to salute by a big margin in the Magic Millions Snippets and looks every shot to keep the wins coming over the autumn. He was good again with five weeks between runs taking out his first ever Sydney Saturday win in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) on February 17.
3. MALKOVICH
- Slot Holder: Magic Bloodstock Racing
- Age: 6YO
- Gender: Gelding
- Breeding: by CHOISIR from MABKHARA
- Trainer: Bjorn Baker
- Jockey: Ben Melham
- Barrier: 2
- Owners: Mr M D Holland, Mr L Caminiti, Mrs T A Davis, Mr A Kustron, Mr W E Loader, Mr T D O’sullivan, Mr G D Prouten, Cobia Racing, Steelies Racing, Darling View Thoroughbreds, Darby Racing Malkovich, Mr A J Luciano, Mr P M Chilton
- Latest 2024 The Quokka Odds*: $21 – BET NOW
Trainer Bjorn Baker is dually represented in The Quokka 2024 field with Magic Bloodstock selecting Malkovich to fill their slot. The six-year-old son of Choisir joins the defending champion Overpass in the mix for Baker. He has been racing in highly-competitive form this prep against many of these rivals in Sydney including a Group 2 Expressway third. Group 1 performed just out of the money behind Lady Laguna in the Canterbury before a second when narrowly beaten in the Group 3 Star Kingdom. Right credentials to run close to the better runners.
4. TRIPLE MISSILE
- Slot Holder: Rapid Equine Breeding
- Age: 6YO
- Gender: Gelding
- Breeding: by SMART MISSILE from TRIPLE LATTE (USA)
- Trainer: Lindsey Smith
- Jockey: Brad Parnham
- Barrier: 7
- Owners: Rapid Equine
- Latest 2024 The Quokka Odds*: $81 – BET NOW
Six-year-old Triple Missile is no stranger to top level racing in WA with the talented Smart Missile gelding out to improve on his Winterbottom Stakes 10th last December. Prior to that he was racing well in Melbourne including a Group 2 Gilgai Stakes second to Star Patrol down the Flemington straight. Doesn’t boast the best winning strike-rate, but is a good sprinter on his day in with a shot. Eased in pre-field betting after a fifth in the Group 3 Roma Cup beaten five lengths.
5. WAITAK
- Slot Holder: Trackside NZ / Perth Racing
- Age: 4YO
- Gender: Gelding
- Breeding: by PROISIR from REPO BAY (NZ)
- Trainers: Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott
- Jockey: Kyle Wilson-Taylor
- Barrier: 10
- Owner: C W Devine
- Latest 2024 The Quokka Odds*: $35 – BET NOW
Kiwi galloper Waitak secured his slot in The Quokka field adding an international edge to the event in 2024. The nicely-bred son of Proisir broke through at Group 1 level two backing claiming the Sistema Railway. Perth hasn’t had a New Zealand-trained contender since 2016 with Kawi contesting two Group 1 summer races. The versatile four-year-old for O’Sullivan & Scott has been up over 2400m previously, but with his longest distanced win being 1500m, The Quokka looks an ideal and winnable target across the Tasman for him.
6. SALOON BAR
- Slot Holder: Morton Racing
- Age: 4YO
- Gender: Gelding
- Breeding: by SESSIONS from PARIS CRACKER
- Trainer: Daniel Morton
- Jockey: Rhys McLeod
- Barrier: 1
- Owners: Oakland Park Stud, Mrs C L Morton
- Latest 2024 The Quokka Odds*: $151 – BET NOW
Trainer and slot holder Dan Morton has selected progressive Sessions four-year-old Saloon Bar to run in The Quokka this season. The galloper has a consistent racing record in Perth in easier grade and has carried some big weights of late. One of the outsiders that could surprise a few.
7. BELLA NIPOTINA
- Slot Holder: Sportsbet
- Age: 6YO
- Gender: Mare
- Breeding: by PRIDE OF DUBAI from BELLA ORFANA
- Trainer: Ciaron Maher
- Jockey: Craig Williams
- Barrier: 13
- Owners: Mr M B Christian, Ms S M Miller, Mrs P T Christian, Mr A S Ingersole, Mr M Johnston, Porter Pelchen Bloodstock, Mr B G Christian
- Latest 2024 The Quokka Odds*: $6 – BET NOW
Bella Nipotina is one of the key The Quokka runners now confirmed a slot and ready to make her impact in WA. Ciaron Maher’s Group 1 winning mare was third in the inaugural The Quokka trifecta narrowly beaten and she looks to be going just as well this prep. Her second in Sydney’s Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes on a Heavy track was outstanding and put her right in line. Doesn’t win as often as she used to, but she’s rarely out of the money. Big chance.
8. AMELIA’S JEWEL
- Slot Holder: TABtouch
- Age: 4YO
- Gender: Mare
- Breeding: by SIYOUNI (FR) from BUMBASINA (IRE)
- Trainer: Simon A Miller
- Jockey: Damian Lane
- Barrier: 12
- Owners: Mr P V Walsh
- Latest 2024 The Quokka Odds*: $3.20- BET NOW
The Simon Miller-trained beaten The Quokka favourite in 2023, Amelia’s Jewel, is back for revenge this season and is the all-in best in betting once again. She went down a nostril flare in the final stride in the inaugural edition and has subsequently enjoyed two Group 2 victories in Melbourne. Presents a more furnished mare as a four-year-old now with plenty to give as she looks set for her rematch with Overpass. She is favourite in all-in The Quokka betting despite a first-up loss when resuming in the Roma Cup where she made up plenty of ground to run second.
9. RIPCORD
- Slot Holder: Peters Investments
- Age: 3YO
- Gender: Gelding
- Breeding: by WRITTEN BY from SINGLE IN LONDON
- Trainer: Luke Fernie
- Jockey: Clint Johnston-Porter
- Barrier: 5
- Owners: Mr K Doak, Mr R McAlister, Miss M Manfredini, Mr L K Fernie, Mr B Fleay, Mr P Fleay, Mr G J Fleay
- Latest 2024 The Quokka Odds*: $23 – BET NOW
Three-year-old son of Written By who stood his ground against the more seasoned stars last summer. Third to Overpass in the Winterbottom at The Quokka track/distance before running second in The Gold Rush results. Presents a more furnished gelding this time in with race experience on his side and form around the top-liners looking a genuine chance for Peters Investments. Was solid running a first-up third in the Group 3 Roma Cup to kick off his campaign.
10. OSCAR’S FORTUNE
- Slot Holder: Loloma Farms
- Age: 3YO
- Gender: Gelding
- Breeding: by RICH ENUFF from OSCAR AWARD
- Trainer: Dion Luciani
- Jockey: William Pike
- Barrier: 3
- Owners: Loloma Farms Pty Ltd
- Latest 2024 The Quokka Odds*: $6 – BET NOW
The Dion Luciani-trained Rich Enuff gelding won his opening four career starts before back-to-back seconds in good company last summer. His latest run put him right in contention for this when he placed runner-up behind the reigning The Quokka winner Overpass in the Winterbottom Stakes at elite level. Big contender against the older horses at a track/distance that he loves. Put the writing on the wall with a good performance to upset Amelia’s Jewel and win the Group 3 Roma Cup on April 6th.
11. WILD BELLE
- Slot Holder: Lindsey Smith Racing
- Age: 4YO
- Gender: Mare
- Breeding: by PRIDE OF DUBAI from HI BELLE
- Trainer: Luke Fernie
- Jockey: Steven Parnham
- Barrier: 11
- Owners: Mr L K Fernie, Mr K Doak, Mr B W Armstrong, Mr P H Jackson, Ms S McLean, Mr C G Armstrong, Hahn Racing
- Latest 2024 The Quokka Odds*: $31 – BET NOW
In-form Pride Of Dubai mare Wild Belle locked in the final slot in The Quokka 2024 field with the Luke Fernie-trained Ascot specialist representing Lindsey Smith Racing. She has had five runs at the course for a trio of wins including a last stat victory in the Rock Magic over 1000m. Will be tested here, but going well.
12. ALMIGHTY CLASS
- Slot Holder: The Chief Racing Syndicate
- Age: 3YO
- Gender: Gelding
- Breeding: by PLAYING GOD from MY CLASSY LADY
- Trainer: Mitchell Pateman
- Jockey: Jarrad Noske
- Barrier: 8
- Owners: Ms C Williamson, Mr C E Hunter, Mr T Black, Mr T Hodge, Mr K Hodge, Mr D Tucker, Mr T O Hodge, Mr R Pearson, Mr A Elari, Mr J Jenkin, Mr B McIntosh, Mr C Askevold-Mcdonald
- Latest 2024 The Quokka Odds*: $41 – BET NOW
Pateman’s progressive Playing God three-year-old will get his shot at The Quokka in 2024 having been selected to fill the Chief Racing Syndicate’s slot despite being unraced this season. He beat subsequent Winterbottom third place-getter Ripcord home last time in before a Black-Type second to Super Smink in the Belgravia last October. Oozes potential and gets his chance to shine in tougher company this prep. A couple of good placings at the Ascot track in March in easier company to warm up.
13. SUPER SMINK
- Slot Holder: Ladbrokes
- Age: 3YO
- Gender: Filly
- Breeding: by SUPER ONE from SMINKY SHORTS
- Trainer: Dan Morton
- Jockey: Chris Parnham
- Barrier: 14
- Owners: Mrs C L Morton, McHams, Ms A Tottle, Mr R J Walker, Mr C Madaschi, Mr M P Madaschi, Mr G A Baxter, Mr A J L Durnin, Fewnicorns, F H R U S Racing , Get The Round In , Mr A E Hayden, Mr B Jardine, Grandad’s Gift Syndicate, Mr R W Pettigrove, Mrs D N Pratt, Mr J J Byrne, Mrs J C Dunning, Mr L Madaschi, Mr P Still
- Latest 2024 The Quokka Odds*: $34 – BET NOW
Dan Morton’s class Super One filly gets her shot against the big guns in The Quokka 2024 having shown plenty of promise against her own age over the past season. The WA Sires’ winner ran third in the Group 2 WA Guineas when taking on the boys over the mile. She’s a Group 2 Karrakatta winner and looks better suited to this distance. Definitely one to watch for slot holders Ladbrokes.
14. PETULA
- Slot Holder: Sky Racing
- Age: 3YO
- Gender: Filly
- Breeding: by NICCONI from RUN SALLY RUN
- Trainer: Simon Miller
- Jockey: Patrick Carbery
- Barrier: 9
- Owners: Mr R D Meadowcroft, Mr K L Meadowcroft, Mr A D Meadowcroft, Mr B J Meadowcroft, Mr R L Meadowcroft, Mr S A Miller
- Latest 2024 The Quokka Odds*: $51 – BET NOW
Petula is fifth three-year-old confirmed to run in the 2024 The Quokka with the Simon Miller-trained filly to represent Sky Racing slot holders. The daughter of Nicconi is on the up-and-up having won four of her opening nine starts at time of publish. Form around the likes of Ripcord and Oscar’s Fortune from last summer so she has the right sort of lines here.
15e. COMFORT ME (Emergency)
16e. RED CAN MAN (Emergency)
17e. HOT ZED (Emergency)
18e. GEMMA’S SON (Emergency)
*All-In 2024 The Quokka odds correct at time of publication and subject to change.
The Quokka Tips
The Quokka tips favour proven Group 1 sprinters, locals with a strong Ascot track record, and any graduates from the previous year’s Winterbottom Stakes.
2024 The Quokka Tips
Our Ladbrokes’ exclusive The Quokka 2024 racing tips will be detailed below a few days out from event so bookmark this page to see the sprinters to back and sack in the short-distanced clash.
- To Win: #10 Oscar’s Fortune ($6 at time of publish) – BET NOW
A fitting second edition of The Quokka set to light up Ascot on Saturday with a host of livewire chances to claim the massive prize. For a touch of value, Oscar’s Fortune is doing plenty right to suggest he can get the job done again after upsetting Amelia’s Jewel in the Group 3 Roma Cup here last time out. That classy, Group 1 winning mare heads The Quokka markets making her last start conqueror the value. Dion Luciani’s Rich Enuff three-year-old gets the run of the race from gate three with the ‘Wizard of the West’ Willie Pike in the saddle. Loves this course (5:3-2-0) and is fit third-up. Yet to win over further than 1100m, but was a competitive second to last year’s The Quokka champ Overpass in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes here in the summer. Fit and more furnished. Watch out.
The Quokka Form Guide
The Quokka form guide reveals all the information needed to place a wager including the saddlecloth numbers, starting barriers, jockeys, trainers and lead-up runs of the horses in the field.
Overpass franked the 2023 The Quokka form with seconds in the Doomben 10,000 and The Shorts in Brisbane and Sydney respectively before returning to Perth in the summer to salute in the Winterbottom Stakes results.
He then returned to defend his title in 2024.
2024 The Quokka Form Guide
A link to our comprehensive The Quokka 2024 race Form Guide will be provided for punters below the week of the race.
The Quokka Results
The inaugural The Quokka results saw the Bjorn Baker-trained Overpass win in 2023 for slot holders RAM Racing Syndicate.
Overpass returned to win The Quokka again in 2024 for the same slot holders.
The Quokka Winners
The Quokka winners and place-getters from the race’s inauguration in 2023 can be found in the below table.
Year |
Winner |
Second |
Third |
Time |
2024 |
Overpass |
Amelia’s Jewel |
Oscar’s Fortune |
1:08.88 |
2023 |
Overpass |
Amelia’s Jewel |
Bella Nipotina |
1:09.53 |