TJ Smith Stakes runner-up Bella Nipotina is the latest eastern states sprinter to secure a slot in the $5 million Quokka.
Bella Nipotina has been confirmed to run in wagering firm Sportsbet’s slot after contesting last year’s inaugural edition under the Ladbrokes banner.
The evergreen mare, trained by Ciaron Maher, is a $4 second favourite behind Amelia’s Jewel to improve on her luckless minor placing behind Overpass in 2023.
She will head west in a vein of form that is close to her best after a narrow defeat to Chain Of Lightning in the TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
Jockey Craig Williams will continue an association that delivered Group 1 success in the 2022 Manikato Stakes.
Bella Nipotina’s inclusion comes 24 hours after Sky Racing locked in the Simon Miller-trained filly Petula for the April 20 race.
The Bjorn Baker-trained Overpass won last year for slotholder RAM Racing and that connection will be to the fore again.
Petula’s high-profile stablemate Amelia’s Jewel will represent Tabtouch.
Other horses to occupy a slot include King Of Sparta (Seacorp / Hallowell), Oscar’s Fortune (Loloma Farms), Ripcord (Peters Investments), Super Smink (Ladbrokes), Triple Missile (Rapid Equine Breeding), Almighty Class (The Chief Racing Syndicate) and Waitak (Trackside NZ / Perth Racing).
