Jokers Grin will make his long-awaited eastern states debut in The Shorts at Randwick on Saturday, with owner Mark Jones hoping the West Australian sprinter can prove he belongs among the contenders for The Everest.
The $1 million, 1100-metre race is the six-year-old’s first start since joining Chris Waller’s Rosehill stable in January. Jones believes Jokers Grin, at his best, can match a field that includes Everest hopefuls Headwall and Joliestar, as well as confirmed runner Ninja.
But his preparation has been repeatedly interrupted by problems with his feet. Waller reported that Jokers Grin had developed a temperature on Tuesday, which was later linked to a foot abscess. Positive blood results and trackwork have since cleared the way for the race.
Jones travelled from Western Australia on Thursday, hoping finally to see the horse compete. He made a similar journey in April for the Hall Mark Stakes, only to receive an email informing him that Jokers Grin was lame.
“I’ll just keep the fingers crossed. We’ve had a bit of a rocky road,” Jones said.
Jokers Grin, bred by Jones and a long-time friend, trainer Bernie Miller, has won nine of his 13 races and earned $2.66 million in Western Australia. Jones said a foot abscess, followed by corns in another foot and further flare-ups, had forced connections to keep postponing his return before giving him time away to recover.
The horse has looked sharp in two trials this preparation, although Jones believes he is fresher than during his previous campaign. Jokers Grin raced in the Winterbottom Stakes before backing up in the Gold Rush, then contracted a respiratory virus and spent three weeks in the paddock.
He subsequently travelled for five hours to Melbourne and eight hours to Sydney, leaving limited time to recover before his first campaign on the eastern seaboard. “This time he looks a better horse, a lot fresher and Chris is happy with the way he’s going,” Jones said.
Moving Jokers Grin to Waller was intended to provide access to the major races in Sydney and Melbourne. The $20 million Everest has been a long-term ambition, although a place in the field must first become available.
“It’s a dream, but you’ve got to have someone offer you a place. A few things have got to fall into place,” Jones said. “If he races well, I’m sure people will come forward.”
Jones acknowledged the strength of the potential Everest field, led by Ka Ying Rising, but said there were other options if Jokers Grin did not secure a place. For now, Saturday’s race will determine whether the home-bred sprinter can transfer his impressive record from Western Australia to the bigger stage.
“It would be lovely to see him measure up to these. I think on his best, he certainly should,” Jones said.
