Maschino monopolized Perth’s classics with Machine Gun Gracie this month and he added a multi-million slot race for good measure with Jokers Grin on Saturday.
Alwyn Park’s sire of the moment was mid-table on the WA Top 10 at the start of April but since then his seasonal earnings have doubled to sit second on the ladder behind perennial leader Playing God. Photo / Western Racepix catches a career-high for Pat Carberry.
Machine Gun Gracie’s exploits in the G3 WA Oaks and G2 WA Derby were recounted here last week and the rise of Jokers Grin to a superb victory in the $5 million Kia Quokka has been well-documented since being named a TBWA Winner of the Week in the Avon Valley last June.
Jokers Grin – TBWA Winner of the Week – 13 June 2024
Maschino sired his first black-type winner when Cup Night claimed the LR Raconteur Stakes (1500m) in 2019 and his younger brother Jokers Grin is heading in the same direction.
Jokers Grin won the Keep The Sheep Maiden (1000m) at his second start on Thursday after letting loose for Pat Carberry with whirlwind sprint to score by three lengths at Northam.
“He has ability, alright,” trainer Bernie Miller said. “But it’s a long bridge before we start making comparisons with such a good horse like Cup Night.”
Winners are Grinners for Maschino – 4 November 2024
Jokers Grin has stormed home in the Selangor Trophy (1000m) first-up at Ascot after completing a hat-trick during the Belmont winter season. “He’s an exciting horse with a big stride and it’s beautiful to see him deliver again,” Miller said. “He has a great turn of foot but we still don’t know how many gears he’s got. Patty hasn’t let the hand-brake off yet!”
Jokers Grin shows star power at Ascot – 16 November 2024
Race broadcaster Darren McAullay summed it up to a nicety after promising sprinter Jokers Grin scored a soft win at Ascot on Saturday. “That was a star performance,” McAullay commented after his sixth start into a fledgling career. “He’s certainly going to have tongues wagging after that.”
Massive Rock Magic win for Jokers Grin – 29 March 2025
Wow! That was some win by Jokers Grin. Victory looked all but improbable until the son of Maschino exploded through a gap in the final 50 metres. “We haven’t really put him to the acid test yet,” Miller said after the Rock Magic Stakes. “I’m very happy with him and I’m confident he will be competitive in The Quokka.”
Jokers Grin all quality Kia Quokka (1200m) – 26 April 2025
Lifelong mates Bernie Miller and Pat Carbery got one back for the home team when Jokers Grin landed a last-to-first victory in the $5 million Kia Quokka at Ascot. Perth’s richest race had been dominated by Overpass (Vancouver) in the 2003 and 2004 editions and he was back in the west looking to make it an on-pace hat-trick on Saturday.
After beginning like a bullet, Overpass didn’t have anything to offer when fellow Sydney raider Headwall (Dream Ahead) chimed in at the furlong and he was also susceptible when Jokers Grin launched a paralysing burst that was timed to perfection by Carberry.
“This is the pinnacle of my career,” the Group 1 winning jockey said. “I’m blessed to be Bernie’s best mate and to ride Jokers Grin for him. The owners get a real buzz and I told them what I can feel on this horse is amazing.”
Miller also reflected on a training career that has spanned over 40 years. “It’s a dream come true and it’s taken a lot of belief from a lot of people that have backed me and helped me out over the years. He worked off the charts last Saturday morning at Belmont and we had him primed today.”
Jokers Grin is a homebred for former Yarradale Stud manager Mark Jones and Stoneville-based David Gatti. His dam Walk In Beauty (Barely A Moment) was prepared by Miller and was retired after winning two in a row at Bunbury in February 2013. She has an unraced 2yo filly by Snippetson named Another Beauty and a filly foal by Maschino.
