Patrick Carbery says it was a strange and slightly bittersweet experience watching Jokers Grin win without him last start, but the top jockey is thrilled to be reunited with the star sprinter for Saturday’s Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot.

Carbery was sidelined after suffering a concussion in a fall at Bunbury on November 13, ruling him out of the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) only days later.

Having partnered Jokers Grin in all 11 of his previous starts—including a run in the $5 million The Quokka (1200m)—Carbery now chases Group 1 win number six after drawing gate six in the field of 11.

“I was out for the 12 days, and I’ve had to complete my Cogstate test, which I passed last Thursday,” Carbery said.

“It’s probably no different from any of the other major sports nowadays; it’s just the way things are.

“Sean (O’Donnell) was able to fill in. He didn’t get the keys for long, I got them back pretty quick, but he did a great job on him, and he’s bounced through the run really well.

“It was a mix of emotions that I wasn’t on him, but it was great to see the horse run well and he’d done what we expected him to do.

“It’s not the spot that I want to be in too many times, that’s for sure.”

Trainer Bernie Miller is seeking his first ever Group 1 win, with Jokers Grin already responsible for two of the stable’s three career Group race victories. Carbery wasn’t bothered by drawing barrier six.

“I was expecting 11,” Carbery quipped, recalling his Quokka win from gate 13 of 13.

“It’s just a number, you can’t control it, so you’ve just got to work it out.

“He’s drawn middle of the way, so we’ll just work it out and show everyone what he can do.”

Jokers Grin is narrowly shading two-time defending champion Overpass for favouritism, though Carbery was quick to dismiss the idea of a two-horse contest.

“He’s not the only horse in the race,” Carbery said.

“He always runs well here, obviously, and he seems to thrive when he comes to Perth.

“He looks a million dollars, but the horses that have come from over East, they’re no slouches either.

“They’re all being prepared to win it.”

Jokers Grin currently leads markets at $2.60, slightly ahead of Overpass at $2.90, with Rey Magnerio ($8) and filly Luana Miss ($9) the only other runners in single figures.

If you’re having a bet on the Winterbottom Stakes, compare the latest odds at the best Australian betting sites before placing a wager.