The Quokka 2024 preview & betting tips | Saturday, April 20

April 17, 2024 4:38 pm.

What	The Quokka 2024
Where	Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104
When	Saturday, April 20, 2024
Prizemoney	$5,000,000
Distance	1200m
Conditions	Weight for age
2023 winner	Overpass (8) \| T: Bjorn Baker \| J: Joshua Parr (58.5kg)
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The second edition of The Quokka will headline the massive 10-race meeting at Ascot this Saturday afternoon, with 14 sprinters set to clash over 1200m. The rail will be in the +3m position for the entire circuit, which is the exact same position as it was for last year’s race.

After winning the inaugural edition of the race, Overpass will attempt to defend his crown in the $5 million race, while star mare Amelia’s Jewel will seek revenge for her narrow defeat 12 months ago. Will The Quokka produce another grandstand finish? Or will another sprinter put their hand up and claim Quokka glory?

The Quokka 2024 odds

It is no surprise that Western Australia’s best horse, Amelia’s Jewel, has opened as the favourite at +230 with online bookmakers, and Overpass sits on the second line of betting at +360. Behind the top two in the market is Bella Nipotina (+400), followed by Oscar’s Fortune (+600) and King Of Sparta (+750). Although they are marked a lot longer than the top five in betting, the likes of Malkovich (+1800), Ripcord (+2000) and Wild Belle (+2500) can spring a surprise if they perform at their peak.

The Quokka 2024 speed map

The Bjorn Baker-trained duo of Overpass and Malkovich are expected to scorch the turf at the front of the field, with the likes of Oscar’s Fortune, Super Smink and King Of Sparta settling behind them. Any combination of runners could settle midfield, as Amelia’s Jewel, Bella Nipotina and Wild Belle could perch closer than usual due to their wide barriers. Saloon Bar, Triple Missile and Ripcord will settle at the rear of the field and enjoy any extra pace that is injected into the race.

Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for The Quokka 2024.

The Quokka 2024 preview & form

Oscar’s Fortune brings great form to The Quokka after claiming a half-length victory over Amelia’s Jewel in the Group 3 Roma Cup last start. The Dion Luciani-trained galloper has started his career in fine style, recording five wins and three placings from his eight starts, with one of those placings coming at Group 1 level behind Overpass in the Winterbottom Stakes. Jumping from barrier three will allow William Pike to settle Oscar’s Fortune behind the speed, and if he gets a split between the leaders late, he will be right there when the whips are cracking.

It is hard to understand why Overpass isn’t the favourite for The Quokka. The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding defeated Amelia’s Jewel fair and square last year after sustaining a strong gallop on speed and then made a mess of his rivals in the Winterbottom Stakes in the summer. From barrier six, Joshua Parr won’t have to do much work to find the front, and if Overpass turns up in the same condition that he has in his last two starts at Ascot, he will take a power of beating.

Amelia’s Jewel went within a nose of claiming the 2023 edition of The Quokka, and the Simon Miller-trained mare has been to Victoria and New South Wales since to claim two Group 2 victories over 1400m and 1600m. Jumping from barrier 12 leaves Damian Lane with two choices: settle towards the rear of the field, or push forward and risk getting trapped wide. Amelia’s Jewel can take this out, but there is a lot going against her this year.

Bella Nipotina finished third in this race last year and brings strong form from the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes, where the Ciaron Maher-trained mare finished second behind Chain Of Lightning last start. However, much like the favourite, barrier 13 will force her to settle near the rear, and she’ll have to loop the field to win.