William Pike has sights set on Rogan Josh Stakes
Champion jockey William Pike can see no reason why Fear The Wind can’t continue his charge to another victory at Belmont on Saturday.
William Pike and Fear The Wind are on the crest of a winning wave and will look to keep that momentum going in the Rogan Josh Stakes (2200m).
Fear The Wind has been a revelation this winter for co-trainers Dan and Ben Pearce and is shooting for his fifth straight win this campaign.
“He’s a progressive horse and each time the bar has been raised he steps up,” Pike told The Races WA.
“I don’t think this race is any stronger than what he’s been in.
“He’s definitely been a good find in the winter for me, he gives me a good feel and has been doing everything perfectly.
“Sometimes these races struggle to stack up with form, you’re probably beating the same horses multiple times, but all you can do is win and that’s what he’s been doing.”
Fear The Wind gives the Pearce stable a potent force in the Rogan Josh Stakes with Queen Alina pushing her stable mate for favouritism.
Fear The Wind is currently $2.20 with Tabtouch, firming from $2.35. Queen Alina, 4th in the Group 3 Strickland Stakes (2000m), is next at $2.65.
Pike fears Queen Alina could take some beating.
“She was a little disappointing the other day (Strickland Stakes), but it was a tough race she was in,” Pike said.
“It’s one thing to go from a ratings race to hard-nosed veterans who are not easy to beat.
“She could be a problem.”
Fear The Wind has drawn barrier eight in the Rogan Josh Stakes and Queen Alina, to be ridden by Chris Parnham, will jump from barrier nine.
“He jumps so fast and I’d like to sit him back,” Pike said.
“If I happen to be outside of the leader and she’s (Queen Alina) three back carting up she’s going to be very hard to hold out.
“One of his (Fear The Wind) best runs has been when I sat him back, but I haven’t been able to do it since because he jumps so fast.
“I would love to get cover, but it could be tricky from the draw.”
Earlier in the day Pike and the Pearce brothers combine with promising three-year-old Triple Jay in the Quayclean Handicap (1400m).
The Street Boss gelding romped home last start at Pinjarra when he led from barrier to post and won by a dominant four lengths.
The brilliant victory led to big offers from Hong Kong buyers, reportedly up to $1 million, but was rejected by his owners.
“He does show good signs, you don’t fluke winning by those margins,” Pike said.
“It’s one thing to do it at Pinjarra but it’s a Saturday against more seasoned horses and a lot better opposition.
“I know there was a lot of money offered for him and there is a spruik about him now, but none of that maters to me.
“I just want to go out and get a win on the board, he definitely warrants a chance.”
More Racing News
Vein Girl impresses in rich Magic Millions The Debut win
Vein Girl has put herself in contention for next month’s $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a strong win on debut under lights at the Gold Coast’s first night meeting. The Chris and Corey Munce-trained Vein Girl was sent out the $3.50 favourite with betting sites in Friday night’s $250,000...
Pallaton races into 2025 Golden Slipper contention
Pallaton has stamped himself as a two-year-old colt to watch heading into 2025 with an impressive debut win at Randwick. Trained by Michael Freedman and ridden by Tommy Berry, Pallaton raced to a 2-3/4-length victory in Saturday’s Shinzo @ Coolmore Plate (1000m) and firmed to be among the early favourites in Golden Slipper...
Arriving Home set to target the Magic Millions Guineas 2025
Trainer Bjorn Baker would love to get lightly raced filly Arriving Home into the Magic Millions Guineas next month after the three-year-old remained unbeaten with a tough win at Randwick. Stepping up from a midweek city maiden win at Warwick Farm on debut earlier this month into Saturday’s Petaluma Handicap (1300m) – a...
The Kings horse Gilded Water wins at Randwick
Imported stayer Gilded Water has made it back-to-back victories in Australia and has given his owner, His Majesty King Charles III, a winner at Royal Randwick. The King’s racing manager John Warren was on track at Randwick on Saturday as the Ciaron Maher-trained Gilded Water raced to a convincing victory in the...
Goldman digs deep in the Pakenham Cup 2024
One time Melbourne Cup favourite, Goldman has notched up his fourth win in Australia, leading throughout to take the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) under Beau Mertens. Jumping an $8.50 chance, Goldman’s staying prowess was on show as he kicked back to deny Grand Pierro ($19) by a long head, with $3.30 betting site...
Here To Shock gives Lindsay Park quinella in The Supernova
Ben, Will & Jd Hayes had the numbers two and three seed to knock off race-favourite Nadal in Saturday’s $1 million The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham and did just that, with Here To Shock, ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, edging stablemate Arkansaw Kid in a thrilling stable quinella. Here To Shock ($4.60) trailed a strong...
Kevin Daffy happy to wait with Oh Too Good ahead of VOBIS Gold Bullion
Trainer Kevin Daffy says there is still plenty of time to chase the big league with his lightly-raced mare Oh Too Good. A winner of four of her seven starts with three runner-up finishes as well, Oh Too Hard runs in the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday. Daffy was sounded...
Bedggood chases rich The Supernova prize
Two rising nine-year-olds, both resuming, will give Gavin Bedggood a potential shot at his biggest payday as a trainer. A former jockey, Bedggood has been plying his trade as a trainer since 2017 and during the recent Melbourne Spring Carnival prepared Mornington Glory to land his first Group 1 success. Just Folk and Windstorm, both...
Collett hoping for Dream Brisbane raid in BJ McLachlan Stakes and Magic Millions Falvelon
A pair of promising two-year-olds from the Ciaron Maher stable have lured top Sydney hoop Jason Collett to Queensland for back-to-back meetings this weekend. Collett is heading north to partner filly Life After Love in the $250,000 Magic Millions The Debut (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Friday night and her Maher-trained stablemate...
Theodore aims to keep strike-rate going in Christmas Cup at Murray Bridge
Trainer Stephen Theodore is looking to Divine Fire keeping his impressive strike-rate going when she shoots for a winning hat-trick on Saturday. After victories at Morphettville and Gawler, Divine Fire runs in the Christmas Cup (1600m) at Murray Bridge with Jacob Opperman in the saddle. Since returning to training ranks at the start of...