Jockey Shaun McGruddy couldn’t have asked for a better result at Tuesday morning’s Quokka barrier draw, securing a prime starting position for Rope Them In, the leading hope for trainer Steve Wolfe.
Representing Tabtouch in Saturday’s $5 million slot race at Ascot, Rope Them In will launch from barrier five, a gate McGruddy says gives him every opportunity to be competitive in the high-class sprint.
“That was good,” McGruddy told Racing WA.
“I wanted anywhere from one to five, so five is great.
“Hopefully I’m no further back than midfield and it will just depend on if he can keep up or not.
“At least we won’t find ourselves all the way back from a wide gate.
“I can make him begin, have him as close as he can be without having to worry about getting anywhere near the fence.
“Because he doesn’t have a lot of gate speed, when you draw wide, you often find yourself closer to the rear than anywhere else.”
McGruddy is banking on a turnaround in form after Rope Them In finished seventh in the Roma Cup (1100m), a run that failed to match his first-up performance in the Bluff Knoll (1099m) at Albany, where he impressed with a strong victory.
The four-year-old gelding, by Playing God, showcased his ability last preparation when running fourth, within a length of Overpass, in the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m).
He also claimed a career-best win in the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m), defeating Quokka contender Western Empire in the process.
Now with a favourable draw secured, Rope Them In will need to elevate to a new level to challenge a field stacked with class, including Quokka favourite Overpass, who remains unbeaten in his four Western Australian starts.
“There were no underlying reasons for his run in the Roma Cup,” McGruddy added.
“The barrier draw will help because he’s not good enough to give them a head start and reel them in.
“The barrier makes all the difference and the 1200m suits him a bit better as well.
“He worked really well this morning (Tuesday) and Wolfey was happy with the barrier and happy with his work.”
Rope Them In is currently rated a $19 chance in betting markets for the Quokka, while Overpass holds favouritism at $2.30 after drawing barrier 10.
