Tips From The Big Bookies – Western Trilogy

IT is a huge three days of racing over in the west with The Sandgroper, The Nullarbor and The Quokka to be staged across the three codes where upwards of $7 million in prizemoney is up for grabs.

To help you find a winner, our stable of bookies' have weighed in with their thoughts on the three showpiece events across three frenetic days of racing.

CLICK HERE FOR FIELDS AND FORM FOR THE QUOKKA DAY AT ASCOT

CLICK HERE FOR FIELDS AND FORM CANNINGTON THURSDAY FEATURING THE SANDGROPER

CLICK HERE FOR FIELDS AND FORM FOR THE NULLARBOR AT GLOUCESTER PARK FRIDAY

QUOKKA – SATURDAY
TOP TIP – AMELIA'S JEWEL – No.8 (Ascot)
Second in this race last year, resumed with a more than satisfactory second behind Oscar's Fortune in the Roma Cup. Has been set for this and looks hard to beat with Damian Lane booked.

Placings – Petula (No. 14), Oscar's Fortune (No. 10), Overpass (No. 1)

NULLABOR – FRIDAY
TOP TIP – SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS – No. 1 (Gloucester Park)
Barrier 1 here is such a big advantage and with the camp declaring they will be holding the lead he is our tip to lead all the way and make it 2 from 2 for the eastern states in the Nullabor.

Placings – Catch A Wave (No. 4), Never Ending (No. 10), Minstrel (No. 9)

SANDGROPER – THURSDAY
TOP TIP – SUNSET FRAZIER – No. 3 (Cannington)
The local star who is armed with blistering early speed and plenty of local knowledge. Can find the front early and give a good sight at the double figure odds.

Placings – Big Energy (No. 2), Morton (No. 2), Hector Fawley (No. 6)

QUOKKA – SATURDAY
TOP TIP – BELLA NIPOTINA – No.7 (Ascot)
Has been racing the best of the best this prep and close up every time. This race represents a slight drop in class and with even luck she'll be right in the finish.

Placings – Overpass (No. 1), Amelia's Jewel (No. 8), King Of Sparta (No. 2)

NULLABOR – FRIDAY
TOP TIP – SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS – No. 1 (Gloucester Park)
Is drawn to do whatever it likes here from the pole draw. Last start indicated a return to form so will prove hard to beat if has some luck in running.

Placings – Catch A Wave (No. 4), Minstrel (No. 9), Hot And Treacherous (No. 3)

SANDGROPER – THURSDAY
TOP TIP – EXPLICIT – No. 8 (Cannington)
Victorian raider who comes here with an imposing record and in terrific form. Has enough speed to cross here and will be awfully hard to run down if that occurs.

Placings – Big Energy (No. 1), Morton (No. 2), Fernando Phil (No. 5)

QUOKKA – SATURDAY
TOP TIP – OVERPASS – No.1 (Ascot)
Last year's Quokka winner hasn't taken a step backwards, proving too classy in the Winterbottom in December. He's drawn well but will need to be at his best in what shapes as another cracking finish.

Placings – Amelia's Jewel (No. 8), King of Sparta (No. 2), Bella Nipotina (No. 7)

NULLABOR – FRIDAY
TOP TIP – HOT AND TREACHEROUS – No. 3 (Gloucester Park)
The former NZ pacer has been flying under new trainer Jason Grimson. Drawn 3, he has the speed and versatility to position well and 2023 Nullarbor winner Cameron Hart steers.

Placings – Spirit of St Louis (No. 1), Minstrel (No. 9), Catch a Wave (No. 4)

SANDGROPER – THURSDAY
TOP TIP – EXPLICIT – No. 8 (Cannington)
The Group 1 winner is on a tear and running slick times. If he can find the front from box 8, he'll take a world of catching. Winners keep winning, and at the prices I'm going against the talented Big Energy.

Placings – Big Energy (No. 1), Morton (No. 2), Hector Frawley (no. 6)

QUOKKA – SATURDAY
TOP TIP – OVERPASS – No.1 (Ascot)
After the barrier draw, he looks to get a similar run in transit to the Winterbottom, where he beat a lot of these comfortably. Amelia's Jewel will be giving him too much of a start.

Placings – Oscar's Fortune (No. 10), Amelia's Jewel (No. 8), Waitak (No. 5)

NULLABOR – FRIDAY
TOP TIP – MINSTREL – No. 9 (Gloucester Park)
Very even and open race and I expect a bunched finished, so let's go with the horse that always makes his own luck. He's a beast of a horse who thrives on racing tough and can outstay them.

Placings – Jumpingjackmac (No. 5), Catch A Wave (No. 4), Never Ending (No. 10)

SANDGROPER – THURSDAY
TOP TIP – BIG ENERGY – No. 1 (Cannington)
Had a two month break before leading from start to finish when winning by more than 8 lengths at Sandown a fortnight ago. Has a great record from the inside draw and looks the one to beat.

Placings – Morton (No. 2), Fernando Phil (No. 5), Trooper Tears (No. 7)

QUOKKA – SATURDAY
TOP TIP – AMELIA'S JEWEL – No. 8 (Ascot)
Excellent return first up in the Roma Cup over 1100m where she just ran out of time. She will take a lot of improvement out of that run and the extra 100m here is perfect.

Placings – Overpass (No. 1), Oscar's Fortune (No. 10), Bella Nipotina (No. 7)

NULLABOR – FRIDAY
TOP TIP – HOT AND TREACHEROUS – No. 3 (Gloucester Park)
Been racing in excellent form including a last start 2^nd at Menangle. He will prove hard to beat from the front row with premier driver Cameron Hart sticking with him.

Placings – Catch A Wave (No. 4), Spirit Of St Louis (No. 1), Mighty Ronaldo (No. 2)

SANDGROPER – THURSDAY
TOP TIP – BIG ENERGY – No. 1 (Cannington)
Last start Sandown winner who was readied for this with a trial in an absolute sizzling time of 29.25. That is low flying and he has drawn the red box. Should be winning.

Placings – Explicit (No. 8), Morton (No. 2), Fernando Phil (No. 5)

QUOKKA – SATURDAY
TOP TIP – BELLA NIPOTINA – No. 7 (Ascot)
We're obviously biased, but we wouldn't have identified her as our slot horse if we didn't think she could win. The draw doesn't help, but hopefully there's enough speed on and she runs over the top of them.

Placings – Overpass (No. 1), Amelia's Jewel (No. 8), King Of Sparta (No. 2)

NULLABOR – FRIDAY
TOP TIP – SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS – No. 1 (Gloucester Park)
Gets the gun draw. Appears to have been primed for this. Multiple Group One winner. This is well within his reach.

Placings – Hot And Treacherous (No. 3), Catch A Wave (No. 4), Minstrel (No. 9)

SANDGROPER – THURSDAY
TOP TIP – BIG ENERGY – No. 1 (Cannington)
Once again, we are biased here but if he gets some luck from the draw, look out. He's a more than capable chaser when things go his way so we're hoping for a bit of luck.Placings – Big Energy (No. 1), Explicit (No. 8), Sunset Frazier (No. 3)

QUOKKA
TOP TIP – SUPER SMINK – No.3 (Ascot)
Was excellent during the Perth summer, picking off some lovely races and finding form around some above-average talent. Yet to miss the placings and looks to be real value in the market.

Placings – Amelia's Jewel (No. 8), Overpass (No. 1), Bella Nipotina (No. 7)

NULLABOR
TOP TIP – HOT AND TREACHEROUS – No. 3 (Gloucester Park)
Recorded consecutive wins before only just missing at his latest. Hard fit, drawn to effect and will take plenty of beating again.

Placings – Never Ending (No. 10), Minstrel (No. 9), Spirit Of St Louis (No. 1)

SANDGROPER
TOP TIP – EXPLICIT – No. 8 (Cannington)
Doesn't know how to run a bad race, winning fifteen of nineteen career starts. Group 1 winner in February and his preparation for this race has been seamless.

Placings – Big Energy (No. 1), Hector Fawley (No. 6), Morton (No. 2)

QUOKKA
TOP TIP – OVERPASS – No.1 (Ascot)
Gone on with the job since his win in this race last year, becoming a bona fide Group 1 sprinter just lacking the Group 1 win, trialled well, loves the track, draws for a soft lead and should repeat the dose here.

PLACINGS – Oscars Fortune (No.10), Amelias Jewel (No.8), King Of Sparta (No.2)

NULLABOR

TOP TIP – SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS – No. 3 (Gloucester Park)
Just nosed out this race last year, great last start second in the Renshaw Cup when wide and working off a sticky second row draw, now draws for a dream run from the inside and should go one better.

PLACINGS – Catch A Wave (No.4), Hot And Treacherous (No.3), Never Ending (No.10)

SANDGROPER

TOP TIP – EXPLICIT – No. 8 (Cannington)
Just a winner this dog four from his last five starts, can handle jumping from the outside boxes so look for him to burn across, settle outside the lead and be too strong late.

PLACINGS – Big Energy (No.1), Mepunga Smokey (No.4), Morton (No.2)

QUOKKA – SATURDAY
TOP TIP – AMELIA'S JEWEL – No. 8 (Ascot)
Quality mare who returned in good order when a fast finishing second two weeks ago. The extra distance should suit perfectly and with the expected fast tempo up front expect her to take plenty of holding out.

Placings – King of Sparta (No. 2), Overpass (No. 1), Oscar's Fortune (No. 10)

NULLABOR – FRIDAY
TOP TIP – HOT AND TREACHEROUS – No.3 (Gloucester Park)
Has really found his form for the all-conquering Jason Grimson stable. Will be driven aggressively by leading driver Cameron Hart from the draw and looks the one they will have to beat.

Placings – Spirit Of St Louis (No. 1), Minstrel (No. 9), Never Ending (No. 10)

SANDGROPER – THURSDAY
TOP TIP – BIG ENERGY – No. 1 (Cannington)
Box 1 always key in these big races. A bit of pace drawn to its outside but if it can make full use of the rails and can run a similar time to its trial here (29.25) will be very hard to beat.

Placings – Hector Fawley (No. 6), Sunset Frazier (No. 3), Morton (No. 2)

QUOKKA – SATURDAY
TOP TIP – OVERPASS – No.1 (Ascot)
Sticking with the Bjorn Baker-trained galloper to make it back-to-back wins. Just feeling that he ticks a lot of boxes with the draw and how well he is weighted against his opposition.

Placings – King Of Sparta (No. 2), Oscar's Fortune (No. 10), Amelia's Jewel (No. 8)

NULLABOR – FRIDAY
TOP TIP – HOT AND TREACHEROUS – No. 3 (Gloucester Park)
He has the gate speed to take up the all-important lead around the tight circuit and making all from in front. The draw has not been kind to a few of the other fancies in the market, so he looks well primed.

Placings – Spirit Of St Louis (No. 1), Catch A Wave (No. 4), Never Ending (No. 10)

SANDGROPER – THURSDAY
TOP TIP – BIG ENERGY – No. 1 (Cannington)
He returns to his birth state and looks extremely hard to beat. His record from inside boxes cannot be ignored and has contested all the big finals in the eastern states when running well every time.

Placings – Morton (No. 2), Trooper Tears (No. 7), Mepunga Smokey (No. 4)