Pike bidding to be national hero again with two weeks left in Australian racing season

Jockey William Pike has bounced off his injury setback in January to regain his grip on the Australian jockeys’ premiership to lead with two weeks to go. Pike, who sustained a fractured heel, did not ride from January 17 until March 29 and had seemingly forfeited any chance of winning a national title for the 2023-24 season. Upon returning, Pike made steady progress to again cement a lead in the local premierships and in recent weeks has hit peak form to rise to the top of the standings with 161 ½ winners, four clear of Queensland jockey James Orman. Pike has had 639 rides this season, far less than Orman who has had 821, meaning he is striking at a high 25.4 percent. Pike said he’s aware of the title race, but it was not something he’d devoted his attention to. “I’d been having a good run, and someone brought it to my attention,” Pike said. “I was out for a few months but then I took it easy for the first few weeks as well, so I was ineffective for nearly four months. “It didn’t take long to get back into the groove and I’m happy with my strike rate, but you’re only going as good as the stables you ride for. “Grant and Alana (Williams) have their team going well and I’ve picked up a few for Micky Grantham.” The Williams team have raced away with the WA trainers’ premiership having prepared 104 winners and are 28 clear of Dan and Ben Pearce for the season, while Michael Grantham has been one of the most in-form local trainers in recent months. Pike said he has a simple goal for each year of riding, one that he has already conquered this season. “My goal is always to get 100 metro winners and of course big race winners as well,” Pike said. “I’ve won it a few times, but thankfully I don’t lack too much for number of rides.” Pike cracked the ton of metro winners on Saturday when guiding Berbere home, boosting his tally to 100 ½. Pike has already won the Australian jockey premiership in the 2015-16 season with 221 ½ winners, 2016-17 with 197 ½ winners, 2017-18 with 200 winners, 2018-19 with 234 winners, 2019-20 with 239 winners and 2021-22 with 189 winners. His total of 239 through the 2019-20 season is the all-time record while, last year, Aaron Bullock (204 ½) led home James Orman (201) and Pike (188) to claim the title. Pike will have seven steers at Wednesday’s Pinjarra programme and is expected to feature heavily in the winners’ enclosure. He will take the rides on Made In Mexico ($2.05 on TABtouch), Zouconi ($2.15), Kermelia ($2.80), Tiger Line ($9), Dirty Chai ($4.40), Ihtsaking ($2.50) and Queen Of Jerusalem ($3.70).