Jokers Grin charges into Quokka contention with bookmaker Ladbrokes announcing him for their big race slot

Following Saturday’s devastating Rock Magic Stakes win, Jokers Grin has quickly been snapped up by Ladbrokes for the $5 million The Kia Quokka (1200m) at Ascot on April 26. The four-year-old, at just his eighth race appearance, overcame a slipshod start and a chequered passage to blitz to victory in the weekend’s 1000m dash as a well-backed favourite. The performance sent him spiralling up the Quokka charts, with Bernie Miller’s “work in progress” now an $8 elect. “Patty (Carbery) has always had a massive opinion, and we haven’t really put him to the acid test yet,” Miller said. “He showed he’s starting to become a racehorse as well by putting his head through that gap late. “He’s always wanted to get on with it too quickly, too early and not listen. He was a big, strong boy and we got him gelded, which helped. “But now, getting up in these grades, it’s going to make him more appreciative of a stronger tempo. I’m very happy with him.” After Ladbrokes’ rapid action, Jokers Grin is the fourth representative locked away for the contest, following I Am Me ($6), Rope Them In ($9) and Crocetti ($15). “Another slot holder approached us last year, but Ladbrokes came on the scene recently and they just kept in touch,” Miller said. “They said they’d watch the William Reid and Galaxy in the East, but they’d keep a very close on eye on Jokers Grin and be in touch again after the Rock Magic.” Miller, a small-time trainer partnering almost exclusively on racedays with lifelong ally Pat Carbery, rose to prominence with Jokers Grin’s close relation and Group 3 winner Cup Night. The son of Maschino will have his final lead-up run in Saturday week’s Group 3 $200,000 Roma Cup (1200m) at Ascot, a race that Miller has long cherished and hungers for after falling short twice with Cup Night. “I sat down and worked out this programme after we pulled him out of last summer’s races to set him for this,” he said. “I think the Roma Cup is a great initiative by the Gangemi family to put something like that on. “I just want to shake Peter Gangemi’s hand. Patty is good mates with him, so it’ll be a nice moment. “Providing he runs a nice race in it, I’ll be confident going into the Quokka of being competitive.” Miller’s circumspect approach deflated many punters when he chose to bypass last November’s Winterbottom Stakes with the colossal talent. But his patience may yet pay dividends, and Miller is not shirking the task. “You’re not going to get better if you’re not racing the best,” he said. “Competition brings out greatness in man and animal, and you can only learn by racing against the best.”