Perth trainer Stefan Vahala books William Pike for Aztec Ruler at Flemington

Perth trainer Stefan Vahala has called upon top WA jockey William Pike, who will have his first ride since an e-scooter accident at Flemington on Saturday.

Perth jockey William Pike will ride Aztec Ruler at Flemington on Saturday. Picture: Western Racepix

Perth trainer Stefan Vahala has gone to the top shelf of WA jockeys to help Aztec Ruler secure his maiden Melbourne win at Flemington.

Vahala has booked champion Perth jockey William Pike to ride Aztec Ruler on the rider’s first day back in the saddle since breaking his wrist in an e-scooter accident last December.

Aztec Ruler will tackle the second of his Melbourne autumn targets in the Listed The Elms Handicap (1400m), which offers an All-Star Mile start to the winner.

Aztec Ruler was narrowly beaten at his Melbourne debut in the Group 3 Standish Handicap last month, which served as a lead-up run to a pair of 1400m contests.

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The gelding finished fourth to Coastwatch in his second local run in the Listed John Dillon Stakes at Sandown, a run that prompted Vahala to change the set-up around the talented galloper.

“He was a bit flat last start and got ridden a bit out of his comfort zone,” Vahala said.

“I’ve had people helping me over there but after his last run, I sent someone over there to look after him 24/7.”

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Vahala said Pike had a good understanding of Aztec Ruler, riding the seven-time winner in gallops before races in Perth while he has spent time with the son of Universal Ruler since arriving in Melbourne.

“It worked out perfectly,” Vahala said.

“He has been over there with the horse for a good week or week and a half.”

Aztec Ruler (left), finishing second in the Standish Handicap, will be ridden by top WA jockey William Pike at Flemington on Saturday. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Pike will need to negotiate barrier 11 to get Aztec Ruler home in the $175,000 event.

Vahala said the tricky gate could help Aztec Ruler as Pike would need to ease early to seek cover.

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“Pikey is going to have to work a bit of magic,” Vahala said.

“Hopefully there’s a three-wide for him to follow into the race.

“To be fair to the horse, he does run his best races when he’s ridden in the second half of the field.

“He’s got a really nice 300m sprint but if you pull the trigger early or make him work early, he just flattens out.”

Should Aztec Ruler perform as Vahala expected at Flemington on Saturday, Vahala said he could extend the five-year-old’s stay in Melbourne or fly him back to Perth for a break ahead of autumn assignments.

“If he was to win, then I’d say we’d definitely go again but if he runs top three, I’d say we’ll have a look and see what’s around,” Vahala said.

“The aim was to have these three runs, come back to Perth for the Hyperion and the Belmont Sprint at weight-for-age where he gets in all right.”

Aztec Ruler has firmed from $8 to $7 in early betting on The Elms Handicap.

Originally published as Perth trainer Stefan Vahala books William Pike for Aztec Ruler at Flemington