Jockey Pat Carbery was all smiles after giving Jokers Grin a tick of approval following his Belmont trial this morning (Tuesday).
Carbery had the job of steering Jokers Grin in a 1000m heat and came away impressed with the exciting gelding’s strong piece of work.
In his first public appearance since last November, Jokers Grin was snagged back to last and rallied hard without being put under pressure by Carbery.
Jokers Grin picked up ground and worked home in tidy fashion for second, three lengths off Zing To Win, who had set up a big lead after firing to the front.
With an eye to two upcoming autumn features, Carbery said Jokers Grin felt good and has appeared to have come back in good order.
“I’m really, really happy with him,” Carbery said to Racing WA.
“He ran through the line strongly and under little pressure too.
“I shook him a little bit when he balanced up and then he sort of ran through it.
“He had a blow afterwards but recovered really well.
“He’ll trial again and that was always the plan.
“Mentally he’s a bit better, he jumped with them and settled well.
“I was really happy with him.”
Trained by Bernie Miller, Jokers Grin has been earmarked for the $100,000 Rock Magic Stakes (1000m) on March 29 and Group 3 Roma Cup (1100m) a fortnight later.
With five wins and a second from seven starts, the lightly raced son of Maschino shapes as one of Perth’s top up and coming sprinters.
The only occasion he has missed a top three finish was on debut at Belmont last May when fourth to Skywalker.
Carbery said Jokers Grin is building nicely for his return.
“Today was obviously the first step,” Carbery said.
“He ticked the box and we got what we wanted.
“We were happy with him going into the trial and he followed up nicely.”
Julio Santarelli