Albany star Rope Them In going super for trainer Steve Wolfe as they chase slot race glory in $5m Quokka

Star Albany sprinter Rope Them In will chase the riches of Saturday’s $5m The BYD Quokka (1200m), and trainer Steve Wolfe is adamant his galloper goes in as a live winning chance. A brilliant winner of the Group 3 Roma Cup (1100m) first-up at Ascot earlier this month, Rope Them In was $23 with TABtouch on Wednesday in the field of 13 for WA’s biggest slot race, part of a two-pronged Albany attack. He is running in the race for slot holder Rapid Equine Breeding. Drawing barrier 10 with 58.5kg on his back, Rope Them In will be one of the leading WA chances in the Ascot feature. The Playing God gelding finished 10th in last year’s Quokka behind Jokers Grin but Wolfe knows his stable star is in far better order for this year’s edition. “He’ll get a bit of fitness out of (the Roma Cup). He was about 80 per cent for that,” Wolfe said. “Hopefully he comes forward from that. “He’s right up to them with the right sort of run, and there are not too many excuses with him this time around.” A winner in 10 of his 25 career starts, Rope Them In would look to settle midfield, Wolfe said. “He will probably be midfield from that gate,” he said. “There is a lot of speed out wide, so no point taking them on. “I think he’s got the best turn of foot of all them, and hopefully he can be near them on straightening. “He’ll run a big race for sure. I’ve got no doubts.” Wolfe is not getting any younger, and said winning the rich slot race would be something to savour. “It will be great to win one of these big ones,” he said. “Great to win one like this before I hang the boots up. “We’ve had plenty of success over the years but there is nothing better than winning a big one.” Rope Them In edged out fellow Albany runner Smooth Chino in the Roma Cup, with the veteran horseman having nothing but respect for young trainer Indianna Weinert as they both enter the race as a couple of WA’s best hopes in the race. Interstate raiders Jigsaw ($4.80), Caballus ($4.80) and Rey Magnerio ($4.80) head up the market, while WA runner Luana Miss has firmed into $7.