Kiwi Group One-winning sprinter Crocetti has landed in Perth ahead of next week’s A$5 million The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot Racecourse.
Owner-breeder Daniel Nakhle accepted the Trackside NZ and Perth Racing’s offer to fill their slot in the rich feature, and co-trainer Danny Walker, who flew to Western Australia with his stable star, is looking forward to testing his gelding’s talent across the Tasman.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to get it (slot) and we were pretty keen to give it a go,” said Walker, who trains in partnership with Arron Tata. “Hopefully they have selected the right horse.”
Crocetti (middle in blue) has landed in Perth ahead of next Saturday's A$5 million The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot Racecourse. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Crocetti arrived in Perth last night following a two-leg flight, and Walker couldn’t be any happier with how his charge handled the taxing trip.
“He flew to Sydney on Sunday and then arrived in Perth last night. He has settled in well, he travelled excellent, I am really happy with him,” Walker said. “He went out for a little trot this morning and he seems very happy.”
With The Quokka set to take place on Saturday-week, the pair have arrived with plenty of time to acclimatise.
“We have got 10 days until he races,” Walker said. “He will tick along and do a bit of pace work and cantering. The plan is to gallop him at ‘Breakfast with the Stars’ next Tuesday.”
The stable has secured the services of big-race jockey Craig Williams, who was earmarked to ride the son of Zacinto last season if he had raced in Australia following his standout three-year-old campaign, which netted six wins from seven starts, including victory in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m).
“Craig Williams will ride. He was going to ride him if he went to Australia as a three-year-old and he has always kept in touch and said to keep him in-mind,” Walker said.
Crocetti heads into next Saturday in good form, with his victory in the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) at Ellerslie in January bookended by placings in the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) and Gr.3 Kings Plate (1200m).
Crocetti will be met by a formidable line-up next week, including the Bjorn Baker-trained Overpass, who has a vice grip on Western Australia’s richest race, having won the first two editions. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
