WILLIAM PIKE a Record Breaker a Dream Come True for BRITTANY TAYLOR
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FOR ALL YOUR WESTERN AUSTRALIAN THOROUGHBRED RACING INFORMATION AUG/SEPT 2019 $11.00 MAGAZINE WILLIAM PIKE A Record Breaker A Dream Come True For BRITTANY TAYLOR THE MEASURE OF A MAN JOE AZZOPARDI BOOK NOWSESSIONS Sessions is clearly the best Group Two Winning, Group One placed Australian sprinter in open company standing at stud in Western Australia. By Lonhro, out of Seances, a stakes winning Canny Lad mare, a half sister to freakish Group One winner Unworldly. STANDING AT OAKLAND PARK $5500 GST INC ADRIAN BROWN: 0438 944 299 OAKLANDPARKSTUD.COM.AU AUG/SEPT 2019 CONTENTS theraceswa.com.au The Races WA is a publication of Racing and Wagering WA (RWWA) RACING AUSTRALIA SERVICE CENTRE Phone: 1800 138 704 Office Hours: Monday to Friday 5am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday 4.30am to 10am 02 Late scratchings after 10am on weekends can be made by calling 9445 5277 and selecting the option to be connected to the steward in charge of the race meeting THOROUGHBRED RACING DEPARTMENT 14 Hasler Road, Osborne Park 6017 Phone: (08) 9445 5277 24 Hour Nomination Service: (08) 9445 5278 Website: rwwa.com.au/CRIS/ Email: [email protected] Office Hours Monday to Friday: 8am to 4pm @theraceswa STEWARDS DEPARTMENT 14 Hasler Road Osborne Park WA 6017 Email: [email protected] General Enquiries: (08) 9445 5570 Fax: (08) 9479 3116 RWWA INTEGRITY Integrity Recorded Message Service: 9445 5565 Email: [email protected] LICENSING, REGISTRATIONS & STAKES 14 Hasler Road Osborne Park WA 6017 Email: [email protected] Telephone: (08) 9445 5558 Fax: (08) 9445 5586 Forms can be found at www.rwwa.com.au METROPOLITAN RACECOURSES & TRAINING FACILITIES Ascot Race Days: (08) 9277 0888 Fax: (08) 9277 0803 Belmont Racecourse: (08) 9470 8222 Fax: (08) 9470 8224 Ascot Track Tower: (08) 9277 0826 04 06 Lark Hill Curator Manager Greg Horne Phone/Fax: (08) 9524 3408 Mobile: 0432 830 290 FEATURES THE RACES WA MAGAZINE 02 William Pike - Record Breaker EDITORIAL, ADVERTISING & SUBSCRIPTIONS: Kelly Sarich 04 The measure of a man Joe Azzopardi Email: [email protected] Phone: (08) 9445 5504 06 Racing Rewind: Willy Gould NEXT EDITION ADVERTISING DEADLINE: 10 Perth Feature Winners: 2018-2019 Friday 13 September, 2019 14 Roebourne on Red Alert All advertisements published in The Races WA Magazine are the 16 A dream come true for Brittany Taylor responsibility of the person, company or advertising agency which submitted them for publication. 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Magazine 28 WA Feature Races printed by VANGUARD PRINTING - 26 John Street, Northbridge 6003 features aug-sept 2019 1 the races wa WilliamA RECORD BREAKERPike By Julio Santarelli 2 aug-sept 2019 features “It felt pretty good, but not as good as it would have felt if I "The stage was set, the had done it in the first and not get beat on a few of the short odds on,” Pike told TABradio’s The Sports Daily. pies were warm and the “It took a little bit of the shine off me because I walked away from the day with two winners (Neurological), but it felt like a punters were ready" bad day. “It’s a long season and I probably don’t get to enjoy it as much as you think you would because you are always Champion jockey William Pike was on the cusp of breaking looking to the next race.” an Australian seasonal riding record. Pike’s national benchmark cemented his reputation as one It appeared a mere formality. His book of rides included six of of Australia’s most successful riders and came just days after the eight favourites, four were odds on. breaking his own personal Perth record of 136 city wins on If it wasn’t in the opening race with Cryptic Wonder, then you Black Russian at Belmont. could bank on Battle Storm’s unbeaten recording holding The clear standouts in a stellar 12-months of riding were dual sway in the second. Group One victories with Galaxy Star in the Railway Stakes By Julio Santarelli If needed, Night Voyage looked a capable back-up in race (1600m) and boom filly Arcadia Queen in the Kingston Town three, and if the unimaginable was happening by the fourth, Classic (1800m). there was always Mystery Miss. Affectionately known as the ‘The Wizard,’ Pike will take out The three-year-old filly was all the rage with punters and his 11th Perth jockey’s premiership at the WAROA Racing started the shortest-priced favourite of the 2018-19 season in Awards on August 3. the Listed Belmont Classic (2200m). After a humble beginning from his home town in Coolgardie, But the adage that there is no certainty in racing rang loud Pike has come a long way since his first ride at a country and clear. Non-TAB meeting in 2002. Cryptic Wonder fell short by a half-head, Battle Storm Someone who has played an integral role in Pike’s career, suffered his first loss and ran last, Night Voyage never played particularly over the past decade, is his jockey-manger Dale a part and Mystery Miss got rolled by a maiden. Verhagen. It left punters scratching their heads and kept Perth He says Pike’s regime away from racing is a key component Racing officials anxious as their promotion of $2.24 pies in to his success. recognition of Pike eclipsing Allan Robinson’s 223 ½ win “He has a great work-home lifestyle that gives him balance record was put on hold. and perspective,” Verhagen said. But by race five the mini crisis was averted and patrons were “He’s got his farm, his tractor and his family that gives him able to dine out when Pike sailed home on Zaratite in the that distraction from racing. Quayclean Handicap (2000m). “The racing industry can be a burden if you are consumed by It was a little later than expected or planned for, but the it all the time. gelding’s imposing one length victory confirmed Pike’s place in Australian racing history. “His doesn’t drink or smoke and his life outside racing is stable. But if you thought the 33-year-old father of two was in full celebratory mode after an extraordinary season and “But as relaxed as he is away from the track he is as fierce and milestone then think again. determined as anybody on it.” Reflecting his modest and relaxed personality, Pike was quick Footnote: At the time of writing Pike was on 228 seasonal to downplay his effort in passing Robinson’s record, in play wins and 146 metro victories. since 2006-06. the races wa The measureJoe Azzopardi of Bya Julio Santarelli man It's hard not to be impressed by Joe Azzopardi. Azzopardi commenced his three-month stint in Singapore earlier in the year in fine style, booting In a world of show ponies and egotists, Azzopardi is home several winners, but four weeks into his stretch respectful and understated. he copped a setback. Those character traits are why he so personable and The visiting Australian hoop copped the wrath of popular with his peers and supporters. stewards and was suspended for a month after being Throw in that he is an accomplished jockey and found guilty of foul riding on Inpower at Kranji. Azzopardi is a young man who is heading places. Azzopardi didn’t hide, he put his hand up and So it came as no surprise that after winning his first accepted responsibility, but admits the stain of the Group 1, which happened to be on international soil, suspension hit him hard. his thoughts turned to his family and friends. “It was a real kick in the guts,” Azzopardi said. Azzopardi won acclaim in the $1 million Singapore “No one’s fault but my own. Derby (1800m) on July 21, teaming up with Australian Hall Of Fame trainer, Lee Freedman and gelding “It definitely was a setback and things weren’t Sun Marshal. looking great. Celebrations were justifiably on a big high after “But then I got my license extended and that was a the milestone, but such is Azzopardi’s nature and good result.” personality, he was just as anxious to get in contact Azzopardi’s Singapore Derby success validated his with his army of well-wishers. decision to leave Perth and test his riding skills on the “I’m still pinching myself and it hasn’t sunk in,” international stage. Azzopardi told TABradio. Before leaving home his best wins came in the Group “I’ve watched the race 15 times and will probably 3 WA Champion Fillies Stakes (2017) and the Group 3 watch it another 15 times. Gimcrack Stakes (2018). “The support I have received from everyone back It was a gutsy and courageous move by Azzopardi home is unbelievable. who could easily have accepted a comfortable and successful lifestyle at home.