Star jockey aims for $4m The Quokka return
FFor William Pike, it’s not just another day at the races, it’s Quokka Day.
It’s Perth’s richest race and now worth an extra million after the $4 million inaugural edition last year.
With the race profile and prizemoney on offer there is no shortage of incentive and motive for Pike to be involved, but what role he plays hit a big snag last month.
In a major setback five weeks ago, the champion hoop fractured a heel and faces a race against time to be fit for Ascot’s autumn carnival, headlined by The Quokka.
The outlook becomes a little clearer when Pike sees a specialist next week and if he gets the report he needs the plan is to get rolling sooner than expected.
“It feels ok and the swelling has gone down heaps, but if I put any weight on it by accident it reminds you pretty quick,” Pike told The Races WA.
“I’m going to push hard to be back doing trials at around the 7 weeks (from injury) and if they pass me I can ride at the eight or nine week mark.
“There is plenty of time for The Quokka itself and I think it’s fine for the lead up races as well.
“I’m hoping to get going before the Roma Cup, or before then if my body is right.
“I don’t want to be blowing out the cobwebs.”
Apart from dealing with the physical impact on his body, Pike says his lengthy spell from the races has also given his mental stamina a bit of a test.
“I’ve never done an injury like this before, always hands or shoulders, somewhere where you can still be effective,” Pike said.
“With this I can’t do anything, I can’t even carry a cup of tea, it’s a pain in the neck.
“You go through good and bad phases, but there’s no drama, I just want to get moving again.”
Driving Pike’s Quokka motivation is exciting three-year-old talent, Oscar’s Fortune.
Pike and the Rich Enuff gelding have teamed up for four wins and two seconds in six starts.
After winning the Placid Ark Prelude, Oscar’s Fortune ran second in the G1 Winterbottom Stakes and Listed Placid Ark Stakes.
Racing under the Loloma Farms banner, Oscar’s Fortune is one of three confirmed slot holders for The Quokka.
Pike absence from WA racing since January 17 hasn’t affected his top standing in Perth’s Jockey premiership.
He’s booted home 66 city winners to be 15 clear of his next rival, Chris Parnham.
Pike holds second position in the Australian premiership with 105 wins, five behind James Orman.
More Racing News
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...
War Machine back in winning form at Caulfield
A great deal has transpired for War Machine over the past twelve months.On the equivalent weekend last year, the horse trained by Ben, Will, and Jd Hayes, War Machine, was competing in Sydney for The Everest.While the results didn't align with the Lindsay Park trainers' aspirations, War Machine had entered...
Saintly Dancer's Thousand Guineas triumph highlights Shinn's comeback
Jockey Blake Shinn has celebrated his first Group 1 win since recovering from a significant leg injury, as Saintly Dancer dictated terms from the front to capture the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.Shinn endured a fractured leg from a fall during last year's Melbourne Cup and made his return to competitive...