Pike happy with his empire ahead of The Quokka
Western Empire took a big step forward in his preparation for the $5 million Kia-Quokka (1200m) with a polished trial victory at Belmont on Monday morning.
With less than two weeks until the high-stakes sprint, the seasoned galloper proved his fitness in a 1000m hit-out, controlling the trial from the outset with William Pike in the saddle.
Pike kept him comfortable in the lead and asked for a response late, which Western Empire delivered with a strong finish. He crossed ahead of Twain’s Angel and Ripcord, the latter storming home from the tail.
It was a crucial piece of work for the Quokka-bound gelding, trained by Grant and Alana Williams, as they prepare for a blockbuster showdown at Ascot.
“He felt really good and we were a bit more positive in the trial,” Pike said to Racing WA.
“We just wanted to make sure he got a good hit out; they ran the trial a bit steady last time.
“We bounced out and made sure he got everything out of it, and I think he did.
“He loafed around a bit in front, and I got a bit more serious when they ran up to him.
“It was just about perfect the way the trial went.
“They came up and pressured him a little bit, so he got more out of it.
“I was very happy with him and it tunes him up nice.
“His attitude was really good which is a key factor for that horse.
“Sometimes he can get upset but seems in a great place at the moment.”
The gelding is one of the leading local hopes to take down Overpass, who currently heads the market at $2.50 after his tough second to Briasa in the T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m).
Western Empire is next in line at $5, with Jokers Grin just behind at $5.50 after his narrow second in the Roma Cup (1100m), where he was demoted after a protest against The Boss Lady.
Western Empire’s most recent racetrack appearance was a win in the The Gold Rush (1400m) back in December. Although Pike missed that run, he famously partnered the gelding in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) in 2021—still the highlight of the horse’s career.
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