Albany’s Steve Wolfe tastes slot race glory in hometown Bluff Knoll with brilliant sprinter Rope Them In

Albany’s Steve Wolfe added the lucrative Bluff Knoll slot race to his decorated training career after one of WA’s most promising sprinters Rope Them In destroyed his rivals at Percy Spencer Racecourse on Sunday. In the second edition of the $400,000 Wellington and Reeves Bluff Knoll (1099m), Rope Them In gave the locals their first hometown success as the Quokka-bound galloper rocketed home to win by more than a length for jockey Shaun McGruddy. The four-year-old rising star was well supported in betting, jumping a $2.70 second favourite behind Snowdome ($2.45) despite being first-up after a short spell but he showed his class with a sizzling performance on his way to bigger things according to Wolfe. “There was great expectation on the horse, that he would deliver but you’ve still got to do it,” he said. “The favourite in a big race, on his home deck it makes you nervous. “I was mildly disappointed with his trial and I gave him a bit longer off than he probably needed. “I did think 1100m might be a bit short so we needed the right things to happen. “It was a brilliant ride and a brilliant result. “He put a length or two on them very quickly, he changed direction and still kept the momentum up and his weapon is that turn of foot. “There is a lot more behind the scenes but credit to the team for the things they do to make the horse happy.” The son of Playing God raced in the SJ Wolfe Racing slot and is now closing in on $1 million in prizemoney and bonuses after collecting $165,000 as the winner of regional WA’s richest race. Rope Them In will now be prepared for the $5 million Quokka at Ascot on April 26. “We will probably run a fortnight before in the Roma Cup,” Wolfe said. “The Quokka and then the Winterbottom will be the targets and then maybe take him east next year in the Autumn. “He is a naturally fit horse that will need to go up a rung for the Quokka but he’s meet them head on and stretch their necks.” After drawing barrier three in the field of 13, McGruddy had Rope Them In perfectly placed midfield as leader Norich ($31) ensured a strong tempo up front. McGruddy got an ideal split in the home straight, zooming past Norich and fellow local hope Oxbridge ($20) to sprint clear and hold out a strong late challenge from Devine Belief ($14). David Harrison’s Devine Belief ran second in the Bridge Patrol slot while the Karen Kersley-prepared Norich held on for third in the Gold Front Thoroughbreds slot. Small scale Albany trainer Stephen Sheehy was delighted with the performance of Oxbridge, running fourth while Neville Parnham’s runner Snowdome was wide throughout and fought on gamely to finish fifth. Albany’s Almighty Class was seventh, Morgs Freeman ran 10th and Gift Of The Heart was last.