Jokers Grin, quite rightly, captured all the attention after a stunning performance to take out the Rock Magic Stakes (1000m) at Ascot two weeks ago.
In a sensational return that cemented rising star status, Jockers Grin overcame a sluggish start and a chequered passage to chalk up a super win.
Such was the nature of the victory, the Maschino gelding was quickly snapped up by Ladbrokes for a spot in the $5 million Kia-Quokka on April 26.
En route to Perth's richest race, the exciting Bernie Miller-trained prospect will go around as favourite in Saturday's Group 3 Roma Cup (1100m).
In the wake of Jokers Grin's Rock Magic heroics was unheralded former South Australian galloper Keep Reading, who ran out of his skin for second.
Apart from a brief spike when third at Pinjarra, there was nothing to hint that the six-year-old could match it against a field of performed horses.
A Bluff Knoll (1099m) eighth behind Rope Them In didn't garner a lot of fans and he went around in the Rock Magic Stakes as a 100-1 pop.
One person, trainer Dan O'Connor, or maybe two, with owner Paul Ferguson, remotely thought Keep Reading could get as close as he did.
A one length margin the difference between winning and causing one of the biggest boil overs in years.
In racing, it's all about taking first prize, walking away with the money, but for O'Connor, sometimes you win, even when you lose.
"It was a big run, but it kind of went under the radar with Bernie's horse winning," O'Connor said to Racing WA.
"You could say he was an unlucky loser, because nine times out of ten you wouldn't get a run on the rails like Jokers Grin did.
"We were ecstatic with the way he went, over the moon, thrilled to bits.
"Paul and I celebrated to the early hours at the casino.
"We've got the form down on paper now.
"I thought he would run a cracking race in the Bluff Knoll, but he pulled a shoe.
"He's raced four times here with shoes missing twice, he's got bad feet.
"His work was outstanding leading up to the Bluff Knoll."
Keep Reading, a six-year-old son of Headwater, performed well in Adelaide, winning six races from 30 starts for co-trainers Richard and Chantelle Jolly.
For the bulk of his career, he's been hampered by bad feet, but O'Connor said with management he seems to be on top of those concerns.
"Paul found him in an online sale," O'Connor said.
"Paul bought him knowing he had bad feet issues.
"That was all explained to us and there's been a lot of corrective shoeing going on.
"The foot casting seems to have done the job.
"The ability is there and he's growing in confidence because his feet are getting better.
"After his last run I think he'll be a happier horse again."
O'Connor would love nothing better than for Keep Reading to prove that his run in the Rock Magic Stakes was no fluke.
The manner in which he worked earlier this week was a positive indicator that the bay gelding was primed for another top effort.
O'Connor won't be outlandish and declare him over the line against Jokers Grin, but admitted he was eying another placing.
"He worked on Tuesday morning and Laqdar (Ramoly) was very excited with him, you know," O'Connor said.
"I think we can finish second or third.
"I wouldn't mind pushing forward a little bit with him and be a little closer.
"We can sit behind the pace, third or fourth, if we're good enough out of the gates.
"He's thrived off the last run and there's no reason why he wouldn't be in the first three again."
Keep Reading won't be the rank outsider in the Roma Cup, that's reserved for Crippalenko ($61).
Keep Reading is currently rated a $26 chance, behind $2.60 favourite, Jokers Grin.
Keep Reading will jump from barrier seven with Ramoly retaining the ride
