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New Zealand\u2019s top sprinter Crocetti will carry the hopes of the Kiwi sprinting ranks in Perth next month as the Trackside NZ \/ Perth Racing slot runner in the A$5m slot race, The KIA Quokka (supported by Western Australia).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The winner of nine of his 14 career starts, Crocetti\u2019s connections accepted the invitation from Entain New Zealand – the operators of New Zealand\u2019s Trackside television network and the TAB and betcha betting brands – after he claimed the NZ$300,000 bonus for winning the Sport Nation NZ Champion Sprint Series over the summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crocetti\u2019s owner and co-breeder Daniel Nakhle leapt at the opportunity to take his pride and joy to Western Australia for a date with sprinting destiny at Ascot Racecourse on 26 April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis horse has already provided us with so much fun and excitement in his career,\u201d Daniel Nakhle said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo take it to the next level with this trip to Perth alongside the Trackside NZ and Perth Racing teams is another memorable step along a pretty amazing journey.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trained by Danny Walker and Arron Tata at Byerley Park near Karaka, Crocetti won his first seven races, before returning to perform at the top level over summer, securing placings in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes and the Group 3 Haunui Farm Kings Plate and a 4th in the Haunui Farms Counties Bowl. He showed his brilliance at the perfect time in the Group 1 Sistema Railway, with that win and the Kings Plate placing ensuring his Champion Sprint Series title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Entain ANZ\u2019s Chief Media Officer Chris Haigh said securing Crocetti, who has proven himself as New Zealand\u2019s leading sprinter, will bring plenty of story angles and punter interest to the trip to Western Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCrocetti has really captured the New Zealand public\u2019s imagination in his career, and we\u2019ve loved telling his and Daniel\u2019s story along the way,\u201d Chris Haigh said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know the Trackside team is pumped that we\u2019ll be taking on The Quokka with a horse with such a following.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perth Racing Chief Executive James Oldring said the Western Australia racing public is looking forward to welcoming Crocetti and Trackside NZ to Perth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve watched the New Zealand racing with interest over the summer, and to get the Champion Sprint Series winner as the Kiwi representative is a fantastic result,\u201d James Oldring said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We saw great wagering results on The KIA Quokka last year in New Zealand through our slot partnership with Trackside NZ, and with a boom sprinter like Crocetti, we expect that Kiwi interest in racing in Perth will continue to grow,\u201d James Oldring said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New Zealand turnover on the 2024 edition of The KIA Quokka, with Waitak running in the Trackside Media slot, more than doubled the turnover of the 2023 inaugural edition. Last year\u2019s Quokka was also the highest turnover race on New Zealand\u2019s TAB that day (19 April).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crocetti is currently a $15 chance in The KIA Quokka market.<\/p>\n\n\n