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Dan Morton selects Saloon Bar to run in his slot in The Quokka on April 20.
Leading trainer Dan Morton has selected his progressive four-year-old Saloon Bar to represent the stable in this month's $5 million The Quokka.
The gelding is D Morton's second runner in the race, following Ladbrokes' selection of his star filly Super Smink.
Despite being priced as an outsider of the field, the son of Sessions is in hot form coming into The Quokka, having already beaten fellow contender Almighty Class in his most recent outing and running a new peak rating in the process.
Although only beating Almighty Class by a narrow margin, Saloon Bar gave 3kgs to the three-year-old and will meet him on better terms when they face-off again on April 20.
While the gelding is an exposed four-year-old, he produced a new Racing and Sports peak rating second-up, running to 102 on the R&S scale – bettering his previous mark of 97.
With last year's winner Overpass running to 118 to take out the inaugural edition, Saloon Bar will need to find 6-7 lengths of improvement the next time he tackles the Ascot 1200m.
In what is Saloon Bar's toughest challenge to date, the gelding has an ideal platform into The Quokka, as he will go three weeks into the $5 million feature with improvement anticipated third up.
Saloon Bar is currently $126 with TABtouch* for The Quokka.
*Odds correct at 1:45pm, April 17.
About the Slot Holder: Morton Racing
The Morton Racing slot is owned by one of WA's most successful stables known for having multiple Group 1 winners such as Scenic Blast, Scenic Shot and Elite Street.
The inaugural running of The Quokka was a difficult renewal for Morton. Multiple Group winning mare Kissonallforcheeks was originally slated to run for the stable however was scratched due to a throat issue which subsequently resulted in the mares' retirement from racing. Morton then elected the Michael Lane-trained Resortman to run in the slot where he recorded a respectable seventh behind Amelia's Jewel, beaten just 2.2 lengths.
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