NZ sprinter locked in for The Quokka

New Zealand’s top sprinter, Crocetti, has officially secured a spot in next month’s Kia-Quokka (1200m) at Ascot, with Trackside NZ/Perth Racing selecting the talented gelding for their slot in the $5 million feature race.

Set to carry Kiwi hopes in Western Australia’s richest sprint, the four-year-old arrives with an impressive record of nine wins and three placings from 14 starts, including two at the elite level.

The Zacinto gelding claimed victory in the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m) and the Group 1 Sistema Railway (1200m) in January, securing the Champion Sprint Series title and earning a $300,000 bonus in the process.

Since making a stunning entrance onto the racing scene with seven consecutive wins in 2023, Crocetti, trained by Danny Walker and Arron Tata, has captivated racing fans across New Zealand.

Owner and co-breeder Daniel Nakhle expressed his excitement about the journey, embracing the opportunity to compete in Perth’s feature sprint event 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.”

Crocetti’s most recent run came on March 8, where he finished runner-up to the talented three-year-old Alabama Lass in a 1200m sprint.

Perth Racing’s Chief Executive Officer, James Oldring, welcomed Crocetti’s inclusion in the Kia-Quokka, believing his presence will further boost interest in the event.

“We’ve watched the 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.”

In Tabtouch futures markets, Crocetti is currently priced at $15.

Meanwhile, two-time Quokka champion Overpass is the $2.75 favourite to complete a historic hat-trick and maintain his flawless record in the race.