Jokers Grin heads into this year’s Winterbottom Stakes poised to confirm his status as Western Australia’s emerging sprint star.
The locally trained gelding has continued his rapid ascent through the sprinting ranks, announcing himself on the national stage with a stunning victory in April’s Quokka — a performance that denied Overpass a third consecutive triumph at Ascot and momentarily disrupted the eastern-raider’s long-held dominance over the 1200m course.
Since returning this preparation, Jokers Grin has only strengthened his credentials. Second-up, he shouldered 59.5kg and delivered a commanding win in the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes, defeating both Oscar’s Fortune and Repossession, who met him on 57.5kg. His ability to absorb weight, settle closer, and accelerate with authority has underlined the significant progression he has made since his three-year-old season.
Saturday’s Winterbottom will reunite him with familiar rivals. Oscar’s Fortune — runner-up in last year’s edition and now back with original trainer Dion Luciani — returns to Ascot after two preparatory runs in Melbourne. Repossession also re-opposes after finishing behind Jokers Grin in the Colonel Reeves. On exposed form, it is difficult to build a compelling case for either to turn the tables, though racing at this level is rarely predictable.
Overpass, the established “King of Ascot,” arrives once more from the east looking to reclaim his crown and erase memories of his unplaced effort in The Quokka. Bjorn Baker’s stable star sets a high benchmark, but Jokers Grin’s sharp improvement, advantageous barrier, and home-ground familiarity give the rising local a genuine opportunity to secure a maiden Group 1 title.
