Rope Them In maintained a 70% first-up winning strike-rate in the G3 Roma Cup (1100m) for Great Southern trainer Steve Wolfe on Saturday.
It was also a positive trial for the $5million The Quokka (1200m) back at Ascot in a fortnight. He was unplaced in last year’s slot race won by Joker’s Grin (Maschino) but stable rep Tamara McGuiness and stable jockey Shaun McGruddy both believe he’s racing in career-best form.
Rope Them In (5g Playing God – Lead Rope by Real Jester) came off serious sectionals set by speed-machine Acromantula (Written Tycoon) to collar the previously unbeaten Smooth Chino (Maschino) in a slick 63.40s. Shooter McGruddy salutes on Rope Them In / Western Racepix
“He’s a natural athlete and I reckon he’s better than ever,” McGuiness claimed. “The harder they go in front the better he goes. He’s so gutsy and we can’t fault him. He will go home to Albany and only requires a couple of gallops to be right for The Quokka.”
McGruddy is also looking to forward to The Quokka. “Full credit to him today at weight-for-age. He’s not a big horse and Wolfie said he was only 80% fit but he responded with that explosive turn of foot.
“He only needs to get a good run to be a chance in The Quokka. He was beaten a bit more than a length in the (G1) Winterbottom last prep and would have troubled the winner (Libertad) from a good draw.”
Rope Them In was bred by brothers Noel and Peter Carter and they kept a share when he was sold by Willaview Park (as agent) for $60,000 at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions. The Roma Cup sent his earnings to $1.45 million including Westspeed bonuses of $243,000.
He’s by Champion WA stallion Playing God and is one of five winners from Lead Rope (Real Jester). Second-dam Gay Abandon (Jugah) is a half-sister to the dam of Manjar (Blackfriars) who was a four-time Listed winner in Perth before transferring to Hong Kong.
The Quokka will be on hold for Willaview Park owners Col Hunter and Claire Williamson this Saturday with their homebred Aberdeen Flyer nominated for the G2 WA Derby (2400m). He comes out of the classic trials a better horse for a win in the LR John Roberts Stakes (1800m) and a last-start second in the LR Melvista Stakes (2200m).
Aberdeen Flyer was spotting the leaders 10 lengths before making a early move in the Melvista. He ranged up at the furlong but wilted after a sustained sprint from the 600m. “He’s still raw and we will see how he handles 2400m,” co-trainer Jake Casey said. “He’s exciting and whatever happens this prep, the owners have a real good horse on their hands.”
Aberdeen Flyer (3g Astern – Templates by Teofilo) is from a mare who relocated to the Great Southern property after making just $3,000 at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale. Templates was carrying Aberdeen Flyer and he was retained by Willaview as managing part-owner for a local syndicate. The mare’s yearling colt by Splintex sold to Wally Daly for $200,000 at February’s Perth Magic Millions.
True Player became the latest feature winner by Playing God after he split runners in the straight to claim the $125,000 Albany Cup (2100m) on Sunday. He’s the 10th and final winner from True Surrender (Poliuto) with the best being G2 WA Guineas (1600m) winner Moccasin Bend (Eternity Range).
