The upcoming return of boom four-year-old Jokers Grin has trainer Bernie Miller up and about with very good reason, declaring the son of Maschino to be back bigger and stronger.
Jokers Grin is back in work after April's fairytale triumph in the $5 million Quokka, a victory that earned him national acclaim and delivered Miller his greatest racing moment.
Jokers Grin, under Pat Carbery, stormed home from the clouds at Ascot on April 26 to become the first Western Australian horse to win the slot race, toppling hot favourite, Overpass, who ran fifth.
It marked the first time Overpass had been beaten on Western Australian soil with the Sydney-trained six-year-old a dual winner of the Quokka and Winterbottom Stakes previously.
Now, with the Ascot Pinnacles carnival on the horizon, Miller says Jokers Grin has returned to work in fine fettle and is showing signs of further improvement.
“This is his sixth week back in work and he’s progressing real good, lovely,” Miller said on Tabradio.
“He feels great, and he looks an absolute picture, I reckon he’s put on a minimum 50kg since he’s had the two months off.
“I’m very impressed with the way he’s looking and the way he’s shaped up.
“He’ll have another week at home and then he’ll go to Ascot to start his fast work programme.
“We’re progressing nicely.”
Jokers Grin has won seven races and been placed second twice from 10 starts with stake earnings currently sitting at $2.2 million
He’s never finished worse than fourth with that coming on debut at Belmont last May.
Jokers Grin is being primed for Perth’s premier sprint, with the G1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on November 29 the centerpiece of his campaign.
He’ll launch in the G3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) two weeks prior and faces a lucrative step up in trip to close out the preparation in The Gold Rush.
The 1400m of The Gold Rush, a Group 3 event on December 13, is unchartered ground for Jokers Grin with all his wins coming at sprint distances-1000m-1200m.
“The plan is Colonel Reeves, then the Winterbottom and all going good we’ll have a crack at the Gold Rush,” Miller said.
“I reckon he’ll crack 1400m for sure.”
Although it’s been three months since the Quokka in April, Jokers Grin’s victory has left a lasting impression on Miller
“I don’t know how to explain it,” Miller said.
“The race seemed to take forever but was over in a flash.
“It was just an incredible feeling and thankful to everybody that backed us and backed the horse.
“It was just a wonderful thing to have happened.”
Julio Santarelli