Jockey Patrick Carbery is hoping talented galloper Jokers Grin can make a winning return to racing, when he lines up in Saturday’s Selangor Turf Club Trophy (1000m) at Ascot.
Jokers Grin won three consecutive races to end his three-year-old campaign, the most recent of those at Belmont in July.
The Bernie Miller-trained galloper has trialled on two occasions earlier this month ahead of his return on Saturday and won both of them.
Carbery said he was trying not to look past Saturday but was excited at Jokers Grin’s long-term prospects.
“You always look forward to riding these sorts of horses,” Carbery told Racing WA Thoroughbreds.
“Coming out of three-year-old winter form, he probably didn’t beat anything of note.
“It was more the way he did it and the times stood out for themselves.
“He’s shown plenty and we’ve got a good opinion of him.”
The four-year-old meets nine rivals in his first-up assignment, headlined by Crawford Stakes placegetter Capital Flight and Raconteur Stakes placegetter The Boss Lady.
Jokers Grin wasn’t nominated for any feature races during the upcoming Pinnacles carnival.
Carbery said it was the ideal time for Jokers Grin to progress through the grades.
“He’s come back more mature, but he still has some maturing to do,” he said.
“Bernie and the owners are happy to let him go through the classes this prep and let him learn about racing and coping with pressure.
“We will take our time with him and hopefully he will be there in the seasons to come.”
Meanwhile, Carbery will be out to score his third win in the TABtouch-Prince Of Wales Stakes (1000m), when he teams up with Crippalenko in the feature.
Crippalenko made it two wins from as many starts this campaign when he won at Ascot last Saturday week and takes the step to blacktype racing this Saturday.
Carbery said Crippalenko, a $10 chance with TABtouch, was being tried in blacktype company at the right time.
“Obviously he’s stepping to Weight-For-Age, but the 1000m suits,” he said.
“A lot of these are dipping their toe in the water going to the main races.
“He’s certainly a horse on the way up.”
Saturday’s TABtouch-Derby Day card gets underway at 12.24pm.
Tim Walker
Image - Western Racepix