2025 The Quokka stays on home soil
Jokers Grin has kept the $5 million Kia Quokka (1200m) trophy on home soil, producing a devastating late finish to claim the feature race at Ascot for Bernie Miller and Patrick Carbery.
It marked the 68th career win for Miller, with the pair sharing an emotional victory in front of a roaring local crowd.
The son of Maschino continued his stellar career trajectory, posting his seventh victory from only 10 outings in what was a career-best performance.
For Miller, the moment was simply indescribable.
“How can you put that into words?” Miller said post-race.
“Honestly, there’s so many people to thank, but how can you put the thrill of that? I’ll wake up tomorrow and still won’t be able to talk to you about it, but it’s just a dream come true.
We went back to Belmont last Saturday and Patty (Carbery) said his work was just off the charts, really. That then gave me a lot of positives about what I was doing was right. Kept on doing that and didn’t change anything.
Then here we are today. Now we’re at one of WA’s best sprinters at the moment.
I think it was about 150m (when I thought he could win). The thrill of just watching him go past me, that was just tremendous.”
From a tricky draw in barrier 13, Carbery positioned Jokers Grin towards the rear, before launching his run tracking Headwall into the race and unleashing down the outside to nail victory by a narrow margin.
Carbery, who has been aboard for 61 of Miller’s career wins, said the best is still ahead for Jokers Grin.
“Whatever happened today, you know that he’s still on the way up, he’s still maturing,” Carbery said.
“I know a lot of people say that, but that’s why Bernie’s taking so much time with him.
You guys get a buzz out of watching, but what I can feel on this horse is amazing.”
Jokers Grin, racing for Ladbrokes' slot, edged out Headwall ($6.50) and roughie Generosity ($51) in a thrilling finish.
Next on the agenda will be a spell, with Miller confirming the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at the Pinnacles Carnival is the major goal for later in the year.
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