Pike Blows Out all His Candles on Birthday

The Wizard of the West, William Pike, may never make a permanent move to the east coast, but if he keeps riding the way he is in Melbourne, there might just be a few trainers, including Team Hawkes, who will attempt to have him placed under house arrest in Victoria. After taking just one ride at The Valley on Friday evening where a genius bit of work in the saddle produced a decisive victory for the Team Hawkes-trained Masked Crusader (Toronado) in the Gr1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) – see above item – Pike made the most of turning 35 on Saturday at Mornington. Ensuring a birthday that he’ll look back on fondly, Pike bagged a four-timer at the track south-east of Melbourne, headlined by the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on Mount Popa (Maxios), Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) aboard Laverrod (Toronado) and Mornington Guineas on Dom To Shoot (Shooting to Win) he came close to making it 5 wins from 6 rides when runner-up in the last. By far the most important triumph on the day was the win on import Mount Popa whose victory secured a prized Gr1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) golden ticket for the German-bred gelding.