Trainer Steve Wolfe was all smiles after Rope Them In made a successful return at Albany on Sunday. It served as an ideal lead-up to his next big challenge at Ascot next month.

Rope Them In, who will represent Tabtouch in The Quokka (1200m) on April 26, earned his place in the $5 million race with a solid win in the Bluff Knoll (1099m). The four-year-old, by Playing God, had been under scrutiny following a moderate trial, but exceeded expectations with a strong performance.

Rope Them In resumed since The Gold Rush (1400m) in December and, with Shaun McGruddy aboard, won by a length over Devine Belief. The victory marked his eighth win from 18 starts, bringing his prizemoney close to $1 million.

“I was a bit shocked by his trial,” Wolfe said on Tabradio. “But I was pretty confident, he’s a genuine racehorse.”

With six weeks until The Quokka, Wolfe is considering his next move, weighing between the Rock Magic Stakes (1000m) or the Group 3 Roma Cup (1100m). However, he remains confident Rope Them In will be race-ready regardless.