New mark for Pike before spring campaign
Having set an Australian riding record, jockey William Pike is hoping to be a spring carnival force.
Champion Perth jockey William Pike wants to base himself in Melbourne for the spring to continue his association with a number of the west’s leading horses.
But how that will be achieved during the current COVID-19 climate, Pike is unsure.
Pike on Saturday created an Australian riding record when he surpassed his previous highest tally, landing a 235th season winner.
It was a tense period for Pike chasing the record as he had banked on a trip to a country meeting last week to claim the mark.
“It was one of those days,” Pike told RSN927.
“It was the perfect plan that we had but it didn’t pan out so we just had to wait out a couple of more days.”
Pike collected a double at Belmont on Saturday, both for Grant and Alana Williams carrying the pink and white colours of owner Bob Peters.
The jockey has forged a successful partnership with Peters, linking for many famous big race victories.
“I’ve been involved with him for a very long time now and we know what we expect from one another and how to go about it,” Pike said.
“He doesn’t put pressure on me and he leaves me alone to do my own thing.”
Peters already has five of his leading horses in Victoria under Grant Williams’ care for the spring after making a road trip from Western Australia.
Pike is looking forward to reuniting with Regal Power, a horse who provided the jockey with success in the Group One Railway Stakes and the All Star Mile.
“Hopefully Windstorm and a couple of others that have gone over with pretty big raps can handle the travel and take the next step,” Pike said.
“The plan is to head over and try and win one of those big races.
“But the way things are and the way it (coronavirus) keeps flaring up and the rules are change every other day, how it’s going to happen I’m a bit unsure at this stage.”
Pike has eight rides at Wednesday’s Belmont meeting in a bid to extend his 2019-2020 tally.