Star WA training team primed for The Quokka bid

Grant and Alana Williams are optimistic that Western Empire is ready to fire first-up in The Quokka (1200m), where they’ll attempt to end Overpass’s unbeaten run in Perth.

Last year’s bid with Triple Missile came up short, but this year the stable is much more confident, relying on the Group 1-winning and consistent Western Empire, who scored in the Gold Rush (1400m) at his last outing.

“I’m really happy with the big fella, he’s going good,” Grant Williams said on Tabradio.

“His first up runs are great, normally.

“His first up run last year was in the Joey, and he could have almost won that.

“His 1100m race (Colonel Reeves) before the Winterbottom (1200m) was a great one as well.

“We can obviously change a couple of slight things, and I think we’ll be pretty right going into it first up.

“Touch wood, we’ve had a really good prep with him, nothing has gone wrong., we’ve been able to get the work into him.

“We’re pretty happy with where he is at at the minute.”

With more than $2.6 million banked in prize money, Western Empire is shaping as WA’s top contender to threaten Overpass’s supremacy in the Quokka.

The Sydney-based star has a perfect three-from-three record in the west, having won the first two Quokkas as well as a Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes.

Overpass comes into the race off a strong second to Briasa in the T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m), while fellow Randwick placegetter Headwall has also booked a spot in the Quokka lineup.

According to Tabtouch markets, Overpass leads the betting at $2.70, Headwall follows at $5, and Western Empire is currently $6.

Williams knows the task is big, but believes they’ve made the right adjustments to challenge the favourite.

“He’s a quality horse,” Williams said.

“Obviously, we’ve all looked at Overpass and we’re under no illusions, he’s three from three over here and the horse to beat, but all we can do is worry about our own horse.

“After the Winterbottom, Larns (Alana) and I sat down and worked out how we can change a few things, have him sharper in that sort of distance.

“He’s not that far off, he’s come out and won the Gold Rush.

“One of the things was to go into it first up, fresh.

“He’s going to be nice and hard; he does plenty of work at home.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Western Empire’s final tune-up comes via a trial at Belmont on Monday, with champion hoop William Pike to reunite with the gelding for the feature race.