Star NZ sprinter to line-up in 2025 The Quokka field

Crocetti is set to showcase New Zealand’s sprinting prowess in Perth next month, representing the Trackside NZ/Perth Racing slot in the $5 million Quokka (1200m).

Having secured nine victories from 14 starts, Crocetti earned an invitation from Entain New Zealand—operators of Trackside TV, the TAB, and betcha betting brands—following his success in the Sport Nation NZ Champion Sprint Series, which awarded him a NZ$300,000 bonus.

Owner and co-breeder Daniel Nakhle eagerly accepted the chance to take his standout sprinter to Western Australia for a thrilling showdown at Ascot Racecourse on April 26.

“This horse has already provided us with so much fun and excitement in his career,” Nakhle said. “To take it to the next level with this trip to Perth alongside the Trackside NZ and Perth Racing teams is another memorable step along a pretty amazing journey.”

Trained by Danny Walker and Arron Tata at Byerley Park near Karaka, Crocetti made an explosive start to his career with seven consecutive victories before continuing his strong performances at the highest level over the summer. He secured placings in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) and the G3 Haunui Farm Kings Plate (1200m), alongside a fourth-place finish in the Listed Haunui Farms Counties Bowl (1100m).

His standout moment came in the G1 Sistema Railway (1200m), where his victory, combined with his Kings Plate placing, secured him the Champion Sprint Series title.

Entain ANZ’s Chief Media Officer, Chris Haigh, emphasized the excitement surrounding Crocetti’s participation and the impact he brings to WA racing.

“Crocetti has really captured the New Zealand public’s imagination in his career, and we’ve loved telling his and Daniel’s story along the way,” Haigh said.

“I know the Trackside team is pumped that we’ll be taking on The Quokka with a horse with such a following.”

Perth Racing chief executive James Oldring also expressed his enthusiasm for Crocetti’s presence in the race.

“We’ve watched New Zealand racing with interest over the summer, and to get the Champion Sprint Series winner as the Kiwi representative is a fantastic result,” Oldring said.

“We saw great wagering results on The KIA Quokka last year in New Zealand through our slot partnership with Trackside NZ, and with a boom sprinter like Crocetti, we expect that Kiwi interest in racing in Perth will continue to grow.”

NZ betting turnover on the 2024 edition of The Quokka, which featured Waitak in the Trackside Media slot, more than doubled the turnover from the race’s 2023 debut.

Last year’s Quokka also recorded the highest turnover of any race on NZ’s TAB on April 19. Crocetti is currently listed at $15 in The Quokka market on New Zealand’s TAB and betcha betting platforms.