Bjorn Baker‘s remarkable sprinter Overpass is poised to make history as the clear $2.20 favourite with Ladbrokes, aiming to become the sole three-time winner of the $5 million The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot this Saturday from barrier 10 of 13.
Overpass is the horse to beat chasing his third win in Saturday’s 2025 The Quokka race in WA. Photo: Steve Hart.
Having conquered the first two editions from gates eight and six respectively, the now six-year-old son of Vancouver, with Joshua Parr again in the saddle, heads west second-up after a strong return, finishing runner-up to Briasa in Sydney’s Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m). The subsequent form of Briasa, who ran a solid fourth in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes, bodes well for Overpass’s chances.
The main challenger in The Quokka betting at $6 is Headwall, another in-form sprinter from the TJ Smith Stakes, drawing barrier eight with Zac Lloyd aboard. Matthew Smith‘s five-year-old has been a consistent Group 1 performer this season, with placings in the Oakleigh Plate (4th), Newmarket Handicap (2nd), and TJ Smith Stakes (3rd), and is considered the most likely to dethrone the two-time champion.
The leading local hope, Western Empire, trained by Grant & Alana Williams, is also prominent in the market at $7 from barrier six. The seven-year-old gelding, a proven performer at Ascot (15:7-3-3) and winner of the Group 3 The Gold Rush (1400m) here in December, resumes with William Pike in the saddle.
Front Page, a dual The Kosciuszko winner, rounds out the single-figure contenders at $8 from barrier 11 with Tyler Schiller aboard.
Among the double-figure outsiders hoping for an upset are the progressive Ascot specialist Jokers Grin ($12), Simon Miller‘s consistent three-year-old West Star ($13), and the last-start Group 3 Roma Cup-winning mare The Boss Lady ($17).
The third running of the lucrative slot race promises to be a thrilling contest.
2025 The Quokka Field & Barrier Draw
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 01x1x181x2 | OVERPASS | Bjorn Baker | Joshua Parr | 10 | 58.5kg | ||
| 2 | 6x354x22x2 | FRONT PAGE | Matthew Dale | Tyler Schiller | 11 | 58.5kg | ||
| 3 | 31142x291x | WESTERN EMPIRE (NZ) | Grant & Alana Williams | William Pike | 6 | 58.5kg | 113 | |
| 4 | 12x17x4312 | CROCETTI (NZ) | Danny Walker & Arron Tata | Craig Williams | 7 | 58.5kg | 110 | |
| 5 | 31x803342x | MAGNIFICENT ANDY | Stephen Miller | Brad Parnham | 1 | 58.5kg | 110 | |
| 6 | 172211×423 | HEADWALL | Matthew Smith | Zac Lloyd | 8 | 58.5kg | ||
| 7 | 575x484x61 | TRIPLE MISSILE | Donna Riordan | Joseph Azzopardi | 12 | 58.5kg | 105 | |
| 8 | x125145x17 | ROPE THEM IN | Steve Wolfe | Shaun McGruddy | 5 | 58.5kg | 105 | |
| 9 | 111x112x12 | JOKERS GRIN | Bernie Miller | Patrick Carbery | 13 | 58.5kg | 102 | |
| 10 | 114x3306x3 | BRAVE SPIRIT | Steve Wolfe | Jarrad Noske | 3 | 58.5kg | 75 | |
| 11 | 26x42111x1 | THE BOSS LADY | Michael Lane | Billy Egan | 2 | 56.5kg | 102 | |
| 12 | x84241x213 | GENEROSITY | Simon A Miller | Ms Lucy Fiore | 4 | 56.5kg | 92 | |
| 13 | 3x11x21x1 | WEST STAR | Simon A Miller | Tim Clark | 9 | 56.5kg | 84 | |
| 14e | 640x1926x8 | COMFORT ME | Rhys Radford | 0 | 58.5kg | 109 | ||
| 15e | 23x155570x | SEARCHIN’ ROC’S | Sharon Taylor | 0 | 56.5kg | 105 | ||
| 16e | x77x604115 | SNOWDOME | Neville Parnham | 0 | 58.5kg | 103 | ||
| 17e | 2812230×44 | SALOON BAR | Daniel Morton | 0 | 58.5kg | 98 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team.
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU?
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
