Jokers Grin delivered a thrilling hometown victory, taking out the $5 million Kia Quokka (1200m) at Ascot, much to the delight of Western Australian racing fans.
Trainer Bernie Miller celebrated his 68th career winner in unforgettable style, teaming up with close friend and jockey Patrick Carbery to land the coveted feature before a huge local crowd.
The talented four-year-old son of Maschino continued his remarkable rise, securing his seventh win from just 10 starts with a breathtaking late surge.
Miller was overcome with emotion following the biggest win of his training career.
“How can you put that into words?” Miller said post-race.
“Honestly, there’s so many people to thank, but how can you put the thrill of that? I’ll wake up tomorrow and still won’t be able to talk to you about it, but it’s just a dream come true.
We went back to Belmont last Saturday and Patty (Carbery) said his work was just off the charts, really. That then gave me a lot of positives about what I was doing was right. Kept on doing that and didn’t change anything.
Then here we are today. Now we’re at one of WA’s best sprinters at the moment.
I think it was about 150m (when I thought he could win). The thrill of just watching him go past me, that was just tremendous.”
Drawing wide in gate 13, Carbery elected to settle Jokers Grin near the tail before producing a powerful run in the home straight. Tracking up behind second favourite Headwall, he swept widest and stormed home over the top, snatching victory by 0.17 lengths.
Carbery, who has combined with Miller for 61 winners, believes there’s still plenty more to come from Jokers Grin.
“Whatever happened today, you know that he’s still on the way up, he’s still maturing,” Carbery said.
“I know a lot of people say that, but that’s why Bernie’s taking so much time with him.
You guys get a buzz out of watching, but what I can feel on this horse is amazing.”
Representing the Ladbrokes slot, Jokers Grin finished ahead of Headwall ($6.50) and longshot Generosity ($51).
Miller confirmed the exciting sprinter will head for a spell before targeting the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at the Pinnacles Carnival later this year.
