2026 The Quokka Day Preview

RISE TO GLORY (6) looks ready to win now for Susan Olive and connections. 

A couple of slow starts have cost him in recent runs at Pinjarra and here at Ascot, but he’s come storming home on each occasion to finish strongly. 

The son to Rommel bolted inf or a narrow second here to start the month and he looks suited getting back out over 1200m off that run. A slightly firmer track also strengthens his claims. 

SNITZALATTE (1) could prove a class above most of these after running on well to put away a small field over the track and trip first-up. 

The Snitzel filly settled third in the run and found clear air at the top of the straight, shifting through the gears well under Holly Nottle, who retains the ride with the 2kg claim put to good use. 

There’s an argument she might be wanting further now, but having placed at Stakes level over the spring, she prove a level above her rivals with improvement still to come. 

WESTBOUND (5) was the beaten favourite on return over the track and distance last month. 

He was restricted for early running room along the rail, dropping back to last early in the run before improving at the bend to eventually run on for third, beaten 1.4 lengths by Saturday’s rival Desert Waves. 

In better off at the weights and likely to settle a little more positive in transit this time, he’s worth sticking with now that Tommy Berry gets a crack in the saddle. 

HOLLER NUFF (4) is another tough one to beat in the Peters colours.  

The three-year-old son to Justify goes around in search of his hat-trick on Saturday after stepping up sharply to the mile a fortnight ago, putting paid to his rivals by close to a length thanks to a superb ride from Clint Johnston-Porter. 

The pair have a stack of options here from the soft gate and you there’s no knock on his fitness as he presents fourth-up now with improvement still to come. With bigger races in his sights, this is a good test for him to take the next step. 

ROCK ‘N’ THE JAM (11) is only lightly-raced but improving sharply for trainer Russell Stewart. 

He was the beaten favourite two weeks ago over shorter at Ascot where the wide gate saw him caught four-wide the trip, making up some decent late ground to run fourth when beaten 2.5 lengths by Saturday’s rival, Avoidance. 

This is tougher again, but he won incredibly well third-up during his maiden prep over the mile here at Ascot. Carrying 54kg again and drawn a much better gate, he’s a good each-way chance in an open contest. 

DANCEWITHME (1) is down at the weights with Holly Nottle and her 2kg claim in effect. 

Luke Fernie’s mare won quite well fresh over 1000m at Belmont six weeks ago, then heading to Pinjarra where she landed just outside the money after racing wide from a long way back over further. 

Third-up now and dropping back to 1000m, she’ll appreciate a more genuine tempo this time as she looks to make full use of the soft gate and set up in behind the speed. 

The unbeaten AURUM BELLE (7) has drawn the car park, although that hardly stopped her storming home to lead all the way here over 100m shorter two weeks ago to go half a length clear. 

Her late sectionals support her repeating the dose again on Saturday and providing she doesn’t spend too many petrol tickets getting across early, it’s hard to pick out more than a few in this field capable of catching her. 

This is the toughest she’s faced, but with 1.5kg off, she should have the legs to see this out. 

The wide gate is the only real knock when it comes to JIGSAW (1). 

He’s been a model of consistency over the last six months, adding multiple Group 1s to his resume in both the Railway across the ditch at Ellerslie and more recently, the William Reid Stakes at Caulfield over 1200m. 

Lots to love about the fact he’s been kept on ice with nearly a month between runs and after digging in late to win the William Reid last start, he has exactly what it takes to make it eight wins in a row. 

REPOSSESSION (3) stands out as one of the toughest to beat. 

He blew the start big time over 1100m two weeks ago, winding up with a solid turn of foot to finish two lengths off Rope Them In in the Group 3 Roma Cup. 

His fresh effort was impressive when beaten by the smallest of margins by Oscar’s Fortune, while we’ve seen him win at this stage of his prep in the past. The inside gate is a big advantage on Saturday, providing he jumps on time. 

HORCRUX (2) looks ready to run a nice race fourth-up with Mark Zahra jumping into the irons. 

Simon Miller’s gelding won well two back over the track/distance second-up and then held his position well for second on a slightly soft track two weeks ago behind Sisu Warrior. 

He’s another one who should appreciate a firmer track with the barrier affording him a nice patient ride in behind the speed.