Grant and Alana Williams have an uncanny knack of getting their horses to peak for their Grand Final and in unison with Western Empire, who fires best when fresh, they believe they can burst the bubble of Overpass in the Kia-Quokka (1200m) at Ascot on April 26.
The Williams camp had a crack at winning last year’s Quokka with Triple Missile, but are a lot more confident with Western Empire, a long-time stable star and Group 1 champion, who was last seen at the races winning the Gold Rush (1400m) last December.
“I’m really happy with the big fella, he’s going good,” Grant Williams said on Tabradio.
“His first up runs are great, normally.
“His first up run last year was in the Joey, and he could have almost won that.
“His 1100m race (Colonel Reeves) before the Winterbottom (1200m) was a great one as well.
“We can obviously change a couple of slight things, and I think we’ll be pretty right going into it first up.
“Touch wood, we’ve had a really good prep with him, nothing has gone wrong., we’ve been able to get the work into him.
“We’re pretty happy with where he is at at the minute.”
Western Empire, a $2.6 million stakes earner, is rated the best of the local brigade to win the Quokka and punch a hole in the dominance of Overpass.
The Sydney sprinter has never been beaten in Perth, never tasted defeat, collecting two Quokka’s and two Group 1 Winterbottom's in four visits to the west.
An appetite for a third straight win in Perth’s richest race strengthened after a gusty second to Briasa in Saturday’s Group 1T.J.Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
Headwall, who wasn’t far behind in third place, has also been locked away and confirmed as a Quokka contender.
Both Sydney gallopers lead Tabtouch markets with Overpass the current $2.70 favourite and Headwall $5.
Western Empire is next on the third line at $6.
Williams is only too aware that Overpass will again be the testing material in the Quokka but believes his seven-year-old will be a worthy rival.
“He’s a quality horse,” Williams said.
“Obviously, we’ve all looked at Overpass and we’re under no illusions, he’s the horse to beat, but all we can do is worry about our own horse.
“After the Winterbottom, Larns (Alana) and I sat down and worked out how we can change a few things, have him sharper in that sort of distance.
“He’s not that far off, he’s come out and won the Gold Rush.
“One of the things was to go into it first up, fresh.
“He’s going to be nice and hard; he does plenty of work at home.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Western Empire will round out his Quokka preparation with a second trial at Belmont next Monday.
Champion jockey William Pike will reunite with Western Empire in the Quokka.
Julio Santarelli