Jockey Shaun McGruddy's wish was granted at this morning’s (Tuesday) Kia-Quokka barrier draw, with an ideal gate for Rope Them In, who will lead the charge for trainer Steve Wolfe.
McGruddy says Rope Them In, representing Tabtouch in the $5 million slot race, is set to get every chance to press his claims in a hot field when he steps from barrier five.
“That was good,” McGruddy said to Racing WA.
“I wanted anywhere from one to five, so five is great.
“Hopefully I’m no further back than midfield and it will just depend on if he can keep up or not.
“At least we won’t find ourselves all the way back from a wide gate.
“I can make him begin, have him as close as he can be without having to worry about getting anywhere near the fence.
“Because he doesn’t have a lot of gate speed, when you draw wide, you often find yourself closer to the rear than anywhere else.”
McGruddy is optimistic Rope Them In can rebound after a disappointing effort in the Roma Cup (1100m) two weeks back.
From a wide gate he went back, but raced flat and didn’t finish off the race as well as expected when seventh behind The Boss Lady.
Expectations were high after he produced a terrific first-up victory in the Bluff Knoll (1099m) at Albany when he raced handier.
The Playing God gelding underlined his potential last campaign when he got to within a length of Overpass in the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m), running fourth.
Before that he reached a career peak in the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m), defeating Quokka rival, Western Empire, by under a length.
A favourable barrier draw is one box ticked for Rope Them In, but the four-year-old will have to improve significantly to cause any havoc to his Quokka rivals.
It's a hot field of classy sprinters, led by interstate raider and favourite, Overpass who has yet to be beaten in four races in the west.
McGruddy’s hopeful Rope Them In can bounce back in the Quokka, his confidence improved after positive feedback from Wolfe.
“There were no underlying reasons for his run in the Roma Cup,” McGruddy said.
“The barrier draw will help because he’s not good enough to give them a head start and reel them in.
“The barrier makes all the difference and the 1200m suits him a bit better as well.
“He worked really well this morning (Tuesday) and Wolfey was happy with the barrier and happy with his work."
Rope Them In is $19 for the Quokka; Overpass, drawn in gate 10, the $2.30 Tabtouch market leader.
Julio Santarelli