Western Empire gave his $5 million Kia-Quokka (1200m) hopes a serious push in the right direction with an eye-catching barrier trial victory at Belmont on Monday morning.

With Perth’s richest sprint just around the corner, the seven-year-old gelding produced a strong piece of work over 1000 metres, leading all the way under champion jockey William Pike in a classy trial heat.

Pike sent Western Empire straight to the front and kept him comfortable throughout. When asked for a little more late, the gelding responded smoothly, hitting the line with authority while holding off talented opposition in Twain’s Angel and Ripcord, who flashed home from the rear.

This trial served as Western Empire’s final hit-out before he takes on a deep field in the Quokka, with Grant and Alana Williams confident the horse is peaking at the right time.

Pike, who was back aboard the gelding, was upbeat about the way things went.

“He felt really good and we were a bit more positive in the trial,” Pike said to Racing WA.

“We just wanted to make sure he got a good hit out; they ran the trial a bit steady last time.

“We bounced out and made sure he got everything out of it, and I think he did.

“He loafed around a bit in front, and I got a bit more serious when they ran up to him.

“It was just about perfect the way the trial went.

“They came up and pressured him a little bit, so he got more out of it.

“I was very happy with him and it tunes him up nice.

“His attitude was really good which is a key factor for that horse.

“Sometimes he can get upset but seems in a great place at the moment.”

Seen as one of WA’s top hopes to take down the interstate invaders, Western Empire sits second in Quokka betting at $5, behind eastern star Overpass, who holds the top line at $2.50 after a gutsy runner-up finish to Briasa in the T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.

Jokers Grin is next in the market at $5.50, following his runner-up effort in the Roma Cup (1100m), where he initially dead-heated with The Boss Lady before losing the race in the stewards’ room.

Western Empire hasn’t raced since his impressive win in the The Gold Rush (1400m) last December. Although Pike missed that ride due to injury, he has partnered the gelding to many of his most notable performances.

Most memorably, the pair combined to win the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) in 2021, still regarded as Western Empire’s career highlight.