Steve Wolfe has his sights set on the Quokka with Rope Them In, but first the talented sprinter will tackle the Roma Cup (1200m) this Saturday in what could be the perfect lead-up to the $5 million Quokka on April 26.
Rope Them In returned with a smooth win in the Bluff Knoll (1099m) at Albany and Wolfe feels he’s ready to rise to the occasion again.
“He’s in good order and it’s obviously going to be a cracking field,” Wolfe said on Tabradio.
“The next one (Quokka) is a step up which is his main mission, but we’ve been ticking him along.
“He’s as good as he needs to be, 1100m might be a step short for him.
“Hopefully we get through this unscathed and then get ready for the big dance.
“If we get through this one, I’m sure he’ll be competitive.”
By Playing God and out of Lead Rope, Rope Them In has racked up eight wins and four minor placings from 18 starts, with earnings nearing seven figures.
His win in the Colonel Reeves Stakes last year, where he beat Westen Empire, remains a career highlight.
He then went on to run strong races in both the Winterbottom Stakes and the Gold Rush, finishing just shy of the placings.
Wolfe believes he’s on track for improvement heading into Saturday’s challenge.
“He’ll be a bit sharper than he was a couple of weeks ago,” Wolfe said.
“He was a bit below his best, around 80 per cent.
“It was a bit nerve racking because everyone expected him to win.
“We weren’t over impressed going into the Bluff Knoll to be honest.
“In his trial, I didn’t say too much, but I was disappointed.
“I’d probably taken it a bit easy with him.
“I’ve stepped it up a little since then and his weight is close to where it needs to be now.
“He’s up and about at the moment and his work this morning (Tuesday) was sharp.”
Brave Spirit gives Wolfe a second shot at the Quokka, this one racing for Seacorp’s slot.
“He’s a pretty good and competitive horse,” Wolfe said.
With Overpass at the top of the market, Rope Them In remains a key contender at $9 for the Quokka. He will be piloted by Shaun McGruddy in the Roma Cup.
