Champion jockey William Pike sidelined following e-scooter accident
Champion Perth jockey, William Pike will be sidelined for the remainder of the Ascot carnival after suffering a broken wrist riding an e-scooter.
It’s a major blow for the star hoop who was hoping to close out the Ascot carnival on Saturday partnering Western Empire in The Gold Rush (1400m).
Western Empire is the current Tabtouch favourite and co-trainers Grant and Alana Williams have booked interstate jockey, Billy Egan as Pike’s replacement.
Pike’s injury required surgery and will keep him out of the saddle for at least two months, meaning he will miss next month’s Perth Cup (2400m).
It’s another ill-timed setback for Pike who fractured a heel in another motor accident at home in January that had him missing nearly three months.
“He had an innocuous fall off a scooter,” Pike’s manager, Dale Verhagen told Racing WA.
“He was going at very low speed, and the injury doesn’t reflect the accident.
“He certainly wasn’t going at speed or anything, just an unfortunate accident.
“They operated on him overnight (Monday) and the wrist is in plaster.
“He’ll be out for somewhere between eight to 10 weeks.”
Despite missing a chunk of last season with the foot injury, Pike stormed home to claim Perth’s jockey premiership, defeating Chris Parnham.
He currently sits on top of the Australian jockey premiership with 81.5 wins, ahead of Blake Shinn on 68 and Parnham with 67.
Pike came up empty handed in Perth’s three Group 1 races this year but claimed Group 2 honours with Storyville in the WA Guineas (1600m).
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