Albany trainer Steve Wolfe is gearing up to take on Overpass’ dominance in WA racing, as his promising sprinter Rope Them In secures a spot in the $5 million Quokka (1200m) at Ascot on April 26, the state’s premier race.
Under the expert guidance of Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker, who is in the midst of a red-hot streak, Overpass has been unbeatable at Ascot for two years. The talented sprinter has won the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) twice and also claimed victory in last year’s Quokka.
Wolfe’s up-and-coming star, Rope Them In, is a four-year-old with plenty of potential. He showcased his speed in the Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) and put in a strong performance to finish fourth in the Winterbottom Stakes, closing fast on Overpass.
Rope Them In is set to resume his campaign in Albany this Sunday in the $400,000 Wellington and Reeves Bluff Knoll (1099m). Wolfe, who part-owns the gelding, secured the first confirmed Quokka slot for his horse after Tabtouch expressed keen interest.
“It’s very exciting for us and we’re privileged to have the Tabtouch slot,” Wolfe told Tabradio.
“They reached out about four weeks ago while we were still looking, but at that stage, we didn’t have much interest.
“We were lucky that Tabtouch chose our horse, as they had other options, but it was locked in last week.
“It’s a great opportunity for Albany, and we’re proud to represent the town with a strong contender. Hopefully, he makes us proud.”
Wolfe sees the $400,000 Bluff Knoll race—WA’s most lucrative country event—as an ideal stepping stone for Rope Them In’s Quokka campaign.
The son of Playing God recently completed a trial run in Albany, marking the first step toward his major goal.
“His trial didn’t quite go as I hoped,” Wolfe admitted.
“He’s improved a fair bit since then, but this race might still be a little short for him. I do expect him to be hitting the line strongly.
“He’s best suited over 1200m or 1400m.
“He’s a top-quality horse, and I believe we haven’t seen the best of him yet.
“He’s got a lot of class, and I just hope he’s ready to take the next step.”
If Rope Them In doesn’t take out the Bluff Knoll, Wolfe believes another Playing God runner, Devine Belief, trained by David Harrison, could be the horse to beat.
“Don’t count out Devine Belief,” Wolfe said.
“He’s a fast horse that Noel Carter and I bred before selling him, and David Harrison was the lucky one to pick him up.
“It’s shaping up to be a thrilling race on Sunday, with a lot of speed from Devine Belief, Norwich, and Oxbridge.
“We’ll need to sit off them a bit.
“We might be the class horse, but we’ll need the right run.”
After the Bluff Knoll, Wolfe expects Rope Them In to have one more preparatory run before the Quokka.
“Hopefully, we can challenge Overpass—he’s been a fantastic horse,” Wolfe said.
“He won’t win forever, and hopefully, this year, we’re the ones to beat him.”
Tabtouch currently has Rope Them In at $9 for the Quokka, with Overpass leading the betting at $2.75.
