Wizard of the West Willie Pike could be major spring player in the east
Perth’s champion jockey Willie Pike has broken his own national record for most wins in a season and now Melbourne could witness first-hand his ability with Pike considering a new home for the spring.
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Fresh from a monumental, record-breaking season, William Pike will get first option on a battery of Perth stars assembled in Victoria for Grant and Alana Williams.
Leading owner Bob Peters will offer Pike rides on All-Star Mile winner Regal Power and fellow Cox Plate aspirants Arcadia Queen and Windstorm — as long as COVID-19 restrictions permit.
Pike will also be able to ride Superstorm, Perfect Jewel and Showmanship.
“It will all depend on the situation with COVID-19 as to whether he (Pike) can go across to Melbourne or not,” Peters said on Sunday.
“But if he decides to go across, he’ll have first call on the rides.
“He’s a hard worker. He deserves everything he gets.”
The ‘Wizard of the West’ notched his 235th winner of the season on the Peters-owned Inspirational Girl at Belmont last Saturday, smashing his own Australian record at the amazing winners-to-rides strike rate of 28 per cent.
Pike will claim the Australian metropolitan premiership when the 2019-20 season ends on Friday.
He leads James McDonald 130 to 109 in the national metro standings.
Grant Williams has been based at Sutton Grange, south of Bendigo, for several weeks with Peters’ squad.
“Everything is good there,” Peters said. “Five of them have been there for a while, and Showmanship arrived in Victoria on Friday. I’m glad they’re there, safe and well.
“There are plenty of options for them, but we’ll have to wait and see if they’re allowed to travel into NSW down the track.”
Peters hopes Australian Cup runner-up Regal Power can continue to excel at weight-for-age.
“The Cox Plate is where we’re heading with him,” he said. “Regal Power and Arcadia Queen could kick off in the P.B. Lawrence (Stakes at Caulfield on August 15).
“If they miss that, they’d go to the Memsie Stakes two weeks later.”
Regal Power and Arcadia Queen are on the second line of betting for the centenary Cox Plate at $15.
Windstorm could head to The Golden Eagle in November if Victoria-based horses are allowed to travel into NSW.
“If he can’t go to Sydney, he might try for the Cox Plate,” Peters said.
leo.schlink@news.com.au
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