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A trio of sprinters are fighting for favouritism in The Quokka 2026 betting as punters gear up for the fourth edition of Perth’s $5 million slot race at Ascot this weekend.
The elite racing action this Saturday takes place on the west coast with a talented line-up of 13 runners set to face off in The Quokka (1200m).
Currently three horses are battling for top spot in The Quokka betting at Ladbrokes.com.au with the Bjorn Baker-trained Newmarket Handicap winner Caballus and Robbie Griffiths‘ proven Perth performer Rey Magnerio the $4.60 co-favourites at time of publish, followed closely by the airborne Jigsaw ($4.80) chasing his seventh win on the trot.
Caballus has been well supported for his trip across the country following the I Am Invincible five-year-old’s narrow upset down the Flemington straight to take out the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) back in early March.
Tommy Berry, who has ridden him for two of his seven career wins to date, is back in the saddle and the duo are drawn a dream in gate two.
Coming into this assignment in top order after a brilliant summer, Caballus put away the talented Joliestar in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes before dictating from the front to claim the Newmarket in style.
A sharp trial since that win suggests he’s holding his form beautifully, and if he finds the lead or a comfortable spot on the pace, he’s going to take plenty of running down.
Still, the challenge lies in his return to weight-for-age going up from 55kg in the Newmarket to 59kg on Saturday.
Rey Magnerio is also drawn to get the favours from barrier five and benefits from the booking of Ascot specialist, the ‘Wizard of the West’, William Pike.
The consistent Magnus six-year-old looks well-placed to make his presence felt, getting a race shape that suits his powerful finishing style.
He caught the eye late in Melbourne’s Group 1 William Reid when charging home under Pike to finish just 1.27 lengths back sixth to Jigsaw at a huge price.
Having trialled up well since at Cranbourne, he has been kept ticking over nicely and looks fresh enough to produce a big run.
Already proven in Perth when third just a half-length beaten in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes at this track and trip before winning December’s Group 3 The Gold Rush, his rating stacks up strongly against this field and he profiles as a major player once again.
Jigsaw meanwhile is attracting plenty of hype ahead of his bid to extend his picket fence.
Cindy Alderson‘s airborne Manhattan Rain gelding may be a rising eight-year-old, but he continues to deliver and handle everything thrown his way.
The only knock is the wide outside alley for him and apprentice Logan Bates to overcome.
The draw aside, Jigsaw just keeps raising the bar, stretching his winning streak to six with a dominant display in the William Reid.
He’s become a top-class sprinter who makes his own luck, and from the wide draw he’ll roll forward again and travel comfortably on the speed.
Given the form he’s in and the confidence he’s carrying, it would be no shock to see him extend that unbeaten run even further.
Outside the top three, a further two runners are under double figures to win with the market mover Smooth Chino ($10 into $6) and the Trevor Andrews-trained Luana Miss ($7).
Smooth Chino is the up-and-comer that looks capable of shaking up this year’s The Quokka field.
Prepared by Indianna Weinert, the Maschino four-year-old is building a terrific record having won six from seven to date and he’s a 1200m specialist with four of those victories being over the six furlongs.
Undefeated with a perfect three-from-three strike rate at the course and distance, Smooth Chino’s sole defeat came last start when resuming in the Group 3 Roma Cup (1100m) on April 4.
He was only a quarter-length off the winner Rope Them In, will appreciate getting back up to his pet trip fitter for the run and ready to fire with the booking of Mark Zahra a huge plus.
Luana Miss is the best fancied of the girls to become the first female winner of The Quokka.
The bonny Bivouac filly has raced exclusively here at Ascot and boasts a 50% winning strike rate so far (8:4-1-0).
With a light weight in the Winterbottom last summer, she was far from disgraced running two lengths back seventh before kicking off this campaign with a luckless Roma Cup fourth showing plenty of promise.
This is obviously a class test for her now, but she’s got the upside to run well.
For punters seeking the value the best of the double figure chances include the rails-drawn Ciaron Maher-trained Spywire ($13) coming off a strong win at Ballarat, last start Group 1 The Galaxy runner-up Jedibeel ($15) and another promising filly Talkanco ($19) who is one of the Ascot specialists (9:4-3-1) in the mix.
The 2026 The Quokka is set to run as Ascot Race 8 at 3:45pm (AWST) / 5:45pm (AEST) on Saturday’s 10-race card.
2026 The Quokka Field & Odds
| 1. Jigsaw (13) J: Logan Bates58.5kg 1×111T: Cindy Alderson | |||
| On a six run winning streak. Last start won by 0.5 len at Caulfield G1 William Reid March 21 over 1200m defeating Angel Capital with 58.5kg at $5.50. The race before that won by 3.5 len at Caulfield Vgold Sprint March 14 over 1200m defeating She’s Bulletproof with 61kg at $2.60. He’s fast, tough, and looking to make it seven wins in-a-row. | |||
| 2. Caballus (9) J: Tommy Berry58.5kg 81×21T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Freshened for 42 days. First-up 2nd in a small field at Randwick in the G2 Expressway on February 14 over 1200m, 1.2 len behind Joliestar with 56.5kg at $4.60. Second-up won by a neck at Flemington G1 Newmarket March 7 over 1200m defeating Gallant Son carrying 55kg at $19. Held on to win the Newmarket and he makes plenty of appeal with his racing pattern. | |||
| 3. Rey Magnerio (5) J: William Pike58.5kg 331×6T: Robbie Griffiths | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months 6th of 11 at Caulfield in the G1 William Reid on March 21 over 1200m, 1.3 len behind Jigsaw carrying 58.5kg at $21. Previously second-up ran on strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 11 at Flemington in the LR Century Stks on November 6 over 1000m, 1.0 len behind Stokke carrying 59kg at $2.50. Strong late in the William Reid and he looks to get all the favours here for Pike. | |||
| 4. Magnificent Andy (2) J: Brad Parnham58.5kg 5457xT: Stephen Miller | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last campaign seventh of 12 at this track in the G3 Gold Rush December 13 over 1400m, 2.75 len behind Rey Magnerio carrying 59kg at $41. Previous preparation first-up won by long-neck Kalgoorlie Golden Saddle October 4 over 1200m defeating Yonga Lass with 58.5kg at $2.35. Just missed the placings in this last year and this looks to shape similarly from an inside barrier. | |||
| 5. Jedibeel (7) J: Tyler Schiller58.5kg 09×42T: Brad Widdup | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 4th of 13 at Caulfield in the G1 Oakleigh Plt on February 21 over 1100m, 3.5 len behind Tropicus with 58.5kg at $18. Last start ran on strongly from last on the turn; 2nd of 12 at Rosehill in the G1 The Galaxy on March 21 over 1100m, on a slow track; nose behind Marhoona with 53.5kg at $21. Nosed out in The Galaxy and this looks to set up favourably for him. | |||
| 6. Spywire (1) J: John Allen58.5kg 61571T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Most recently won by 1.5 len at Ballarat Discovery April 3 over 1100m defeating Geegees Mistruth carrying 56kg at $8.50. The run before that 7th of 13 at Caulfield in the G1 Oakleigh Plt on February 21 over 1100m, 4.5 len behind Tropicus with 56kg at $31. Draws the inside off a big win last start, but he’d need to raise the bar again. | |||
| 7. Oscar’s Fortune (12) J: Patrick Carbery58.5kg 64×13T: Dion Luciani | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by a nose at this track Rock Magic March 21 over 1000m defeating Repossession with 57.5kg at $2.50. Second run from a spell 3rd of 9 at this track in the G3 Roma Cup on April 4 over 1100m, 0.6 len behind Rope Them In with 58.5kg at $5.50. Ticking along nicely but it’s crunch time now. | |||
| 8. Rope Them In (10) J: Shaun Mcgruddy58.5kg 249×1T: Steve Wolfe | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months came from midfield and won by a neck at this track G3 Roma Cup April 4 over 1100m defeating Smooth Chino carrying 58.5kg at $6. Previously second-up 2nd of 13 at this track in the G3 Asian Beau on November 1 over 1400m, neck behind Watch Me Rock with 61kg at $17. Beat Smooth Chino in the Roma Cup and that looks the best form of the locals. | |||
| 9. West Star (4) J: Clint Johnston-Porter58.5kg x09x8T: Simon A Miller | |||
| Second-up. First-up after six months second last of 9 at this track in the G3 Roma Cup on April 4 over 1100m, 4.5 len behind Rope Them In carrying 58.5kg at $8. Previously second-up ran last of 9 at Caulfield in the G3 Moonga Stks on October 18 over 1400m, 4 len behind Private Eye carrying 58.5kg at $31. Plain in the Roma Cup and will need a big turnaround in form. | |||
| 10. Sisu Warrior (8) J: Shaun O’donnell58.5kg 674×1T: Dion Luciani | |||
| Second-up. First-up after seven months won by 0.7 len at this track Rtg 72+ April 1 over 1200m in soft going defeating Horcrux carrying 59kg at $81. Previously second-up eased back early on 7th of 13 at Bunbury Rtg 72+ on July 12 over 1200m, in the wet; 4 len behind Wubin Gold carrying 60.5kg at $11. Surprise winner on resumption and deserves to be big odds. | |||
| 11. Smooth Chino (11) J: Mark Zahra58.5kg 111×2T: Indianna Weinert | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months held ground to the line 2nd of 9 at this track in the G3 Roma Cup on April 4 over 1100m, neck behind Rope Them In carrying 58.5kg at $2.45. Previously second-up favourite; won by 1.5 len at this track Rtg 66+ November 22 over 1200m defeating Magnique with 60.5kg at $2.10. Felt the pinch late fresh but with improvement expected, he looks the best of the locals. | |||
| 12. Talkanco (3) J: Lucy Fiore54.5kg 2×224T: Daniel & Ben Pearce | |||
| Recent form sound. Returns from a 42-day let-up. Most recently made ground from midfield; 4th of 14 at Bunbury in the LR Bunbury Stakes on March 7 over 1400m, 1.1 len behind Bonjoy carrying 54kg at $2.60. The start before that made ground from midfield; 2nd of 12 at Pinjarra Scarpside in the LR Pinjarra Clsc on February 22 over 1300m, head behind London’s Image carrying 54kg at $2.60. Won a recent trial, though this looks too tough. | |||
| 13. Luana Miss (6) J: Chris Parnham54.5kg 117×4T: Trevor Andrews | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months 4th of 9 at this track in the G3 Roma Cup on April 4 over 1100m, 1.75 len behind Rope Them In carrying 54.5kg at $5.50. Previously second-up won by 1.75 len at this track Pa Prelude November 1 over 1100m defeating Twisted Steel with 55kg at $4.20. Seems the tip away from the favourites and didn’t have much luck fresh; can see why she’s trendy though she’ll have to go to a level she hasn’t been to before. | |||
| 14. Repossession (14) J: Unknown58.5kg 94×25T: Chris & Michael Gangemi | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 2nd in a small field at this track Rock Magic on March 21 over 1000m, nose behind Oscar’s Fortune with 57.5kg at $3.80. Last start from last on the turn 5th of 9 at this track in the G3 Roma Cup on April 4 over 1100m, 2 len behind Rope Them In with 58.5kg at $13. Looking for him in The Joey. | |||
| 15. Cessation (15) J: Unknown56.5kg 12×32T: Tiarnna Noske | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming 3rd in a small field at this track Rock Magic on March 21 over 1000m, 2.5 len behind Oscar’s Fortune with 53kg at $4.20. Last start tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 8 at this track M Charleson on April 11 over 1200m, 0.7 len behind London’s Image carrying 55kg at $3.50. Running in The Joey. | |||
| 16. Cut The Talk (16) J: Unknown58.5kg 52347T: Tim Crosby | |||
| Dual acceptor. At the latest run 7th of 9 at this track in the G3 Roma Cup on April 4 over 1100m, 4 len behind Rope Them In carrying 58.5kg at $81. The start before that 4th of 8 at this track Rtg 72+ on March 21 over 1000m, 1.0 len behind Tycoon Harry carrying 59kg at $10. He’ll be in The Joey. | |||
| 17. Sky Duke (17) J: Unknown58.5kg 01926T: Neville Parnham | |||
| Dual acceptor. Last start 6th of 9 at this track Rtg 72+ on April 1 over 1200m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Sisu Warrior carrying 59kg at $31. The race before that rolled along in front before being edged out 2nd of 11 at this track in the LR Cyril Flower on February 7 over 1200m, 1.5 len behind Almighty Class with 54kg at $31. Watch for him in The Joey. | |||
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