Grant and Alana Williams are confident they’ve got Western Empire primed to strike fresh in this year’s edition of The Quokka (1200m), set to take place at Ascot on April 26. With their proven knack for timing their runners to peak on big days, they’re aiming to challenge Overpass’s dominance.

The Williams stable came close in last year’s Quokka with Triple Missile, but believe their Group 1-winning star Western Empire gives them a much stronger shot this time around. The seven-year-old hasn’t raced since his win in the Gold Rush (1400m) last December.

“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.”

Western Empire, who has earned $2.6 million in stakes, is viewed as the top local hope to challenge Overpass in the $5 million feature.

Overpass, the powerful Sydney sprinter, is unbeaten in Western Australia, having won back-to-back Quokkas and a Group 1 Winterbottom in just three starts at Ascot.

That unbeaten run nearly ended last weekend when he was narrowly beaten by Briasa in the Group 1 T.J.Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.

Headwall, who finished a close third in the same race, has also secured a spot in the Quokka lineup.

In the early betting markets, Overpass leads at $2.70, followed by Headwall at $5, with Western Empire sitting just behind at $6.

Williams knows Overpass presents a serious challenge but is optimistic that Western Empire will be a major player.

“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 is scheduled to complete his preparations with a second trial at Belmont on Monday. William Pike will again take the reins in the Quokka.