William Pike bullish about chances of surprise horse Western Knight in The Quokka
WA’s leading jockey William Pike has an eastern states raider above local favourite Amelia’s Jewel in The Quokka and gives his $51 runner a big push in the race.
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Western Knight is the surprise runner in The Quokka (1200m) but a top-three result won’t be a shock to his rider William Pike.
And going against most local predictions of an Amelia’s Jewel victory, Western Australia’s leading jockey declared Queensland sprinter Uncommon James was the horse to beat in the $4m showpiece at Ascot on Saturday.
Pike is expecting a bold showing from four-year-old gelding Western Knight despite being a $51 roughie.
The Adam Durrant-trained Western Knight, who will run in owner Bob Peters’ slot, has had seven starts in restricted grade for three wins and three seconds.
“Obviously it’s quite a sharp rise in class but I do like the horse, I think he’s a got quite a lot of ability,” Pike said.
“I was quite bullish on his chances. Obviously you’ve got a couple of stars who will be hard to beat but I think he can run a place.
“Potential and ability he can win a race like that and I was actually a good push for Bob Peters to run him in the race.
“Where he’s going to end up in his career, I don’t know, all I know is he’s got a lot of untapped, raw ability.
“If we can mould him and furnish him, he’s a very nice horse for the future.”
Pike has a great understanding of the eastern form.
He was a Melbourne spring and autumn carnival regular in 2020 and 2021, collecting four Group 1s and an All-Star Mile which included the 1200m William Reid Stakes aboard Masked Crusader.
Early last year Pike relocated to NSW. During his nine-month stint there he picked up two Group 1 wins in Queensland.
Pike also rode at the Gold Coast Magic Millions in January and has made a handful of hit-and-run trips to Sydney and Melbourne.
Peters said last week the opposition was “racing for a place” behind Amelia’s Jewel but Pike has a different opinion.
“Amelia’s Jewel, without a doubt, is the local horse to beat,” Pike said.
“Although I do think if a horse like Uncommon James brings his best, it’s going to be a pretty exciting race.
“Off the top of my head I think Uncommon James is the best-credentialed horse. He’s already won an Oakleigh Plate and I think he’s got the runs on the board.
“Amelia’s Jewel, while she was a standout young horse, this is her chance to prove herself again, and she is in the process of doing that.
“But I think Uncommon James is the one to beat and Amelia’s Jewel is right behind him.”
Pike also rated the Bjorn Baker pair Shades Of Rose and Overpass as dangers.
“If Shades Of Rose can find her best form I think it’s a perfect Ascot horse,” Pike said.
“Both of Bjorn’s horses should be perfect Ascot horses if they can bring their best.”
The Quokka is now the richest prize in WA racing and Pike is thrilled to be a part of it.
“We’re in Western Australia and to say we’ve got a $4m race is just unbelievable for us,” he said.
“I’m absolutely excited to ride in it, the opportunity is crazy.”
Originally published as William Pike bullish about chances of surprise horse Western Knight in The Quokka
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