Peter Tighe and friends buy slot in WA’s new slot race, The Quokka
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Peter Tighe, famous as the part-owner of mighty mare Winx, has snapped up a slot in the new $4 million The Quokka (1200m) at Perth’s Ascot racecourse next April.
“These slot races are really good concepts,” Tighe said.
“We are happy with The Everest and this race looks like giving us something different in another jurisdiction.
“So, I got together with Noel Greenhalgh, Neville Morgan and Mark Timms from Brisbane to get a slot in The Quokka.
“I hope Chris (Waller) can find the right horse but if he hasn’t got a suitable sprinter we can go to a local trainer.”
The Quokka’s slots are valued at $200,000 each with each slot-holder locking in their starting position for one year and with an option to retain their slot for the following year.
The Perth weight-for-age sprint is well positioned two weeks after the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes at Royal Randwick during The Championships and could attract some of the best sprinters in training.
Leading Perth owner Bob Peters, Jack Lee Steere Thoroughbreds and Perth Racing are among the 14 slot-holders announced for The Quokka late last week.
Meanwhile, Tighe confirmed Winx is being readied to visit super sire Snitzel at John Messara’s Arrowfield Stud.
“It is very imminent,” Tighe said of the Snitzel-Winx mating.
“Snitzel is a stalwart of Australian racing and breeding and we are happy to send Winx to him this spring.”
Winx gave birth to her first foal, a filly by Coolmore’s champions stallion Pierro, five weeks ago.
Tighe said both Winx and her filly foal are “perfect, doing really well”.
“Her Pierro filly is a bonny little thing, a ball of energy,” Tighe said.
“She will come over to the fence and is happy to interact which is unusual for foals of her age.
“Winx is a great Mum and keeps a close eye on her foal.”
