Advertisement

Pike day ruined but right for Roma

Miss Italy contestant Dana Bechelli admires Luckygray at trainer Trevor Andrews’ stables yesterday. Picture: Gerald Moscarda/WA News

William Pike missed a possible treble at Northam yesterday when stewards stood him down following a heavy fall in the first race.

But the State's premier jockey will be able to fulfil a red-hot book of seven rides at tomorrow's gala Italian Day Del Basso Smallgoods Roma Cup meeting.

Pike hit the ground heavily when he tumbled from $6 chance Guns And Money approaching the home corner.

He bounced quickly to his feet, but because Pike had hit his head stewards stopped him from taking his remaining five rides.

"William wanted to ride, but the stewards were concerned he had struck his head," Pike's racing manager Dale Verhagen said.

"He had to stay on-course for a while, but later drove home so all looks fine for him on Saturday."

The Coolgardie-born rider notched his 100th win for the season when he completed the second leg of a double on Fonzarelli at Albany last Thursday.

Yesterday he could have shot his tally to 107 wins, with Kyra Yuill replacing him to ride a double on Timebomb and Dust 'N' Diamonds and Jarrad Noske winning on Orikhan.

Pike is expected to dominate the first feature meeting of the new Belmont Park season, with the 28-year-old engaged on four of the eight favourites.

Arcadia Rose, the $2.90 fancy in the Italo-Australian Sprint (1000m), spearheads three rides Pike will take for owner-breeders Bob and Sandra Peters.

The TAB yesterday opened Luckygray as the $2.70 favourite to repeat his effort of 2012 in the Roma Cup.

Northam Stakes winner Magnifisio, at $2.90, was the only runner in the field of 12 under double-figure odds.

Luckygray, who last November joined Tudor Mak (1966-67) as the only horse to win two Railway Stakes, will join Grand Nirvana (2009 and 2011), Doctor Golly (1992-93), Wild Side (1982-83), Tangiers (1979-80) and Clear Mak (1973-74) to have won the Roma Cup twice if successful.

The son of Bradbury's Luck has won three of his five first-up runs, including the 2012 Roma Cup when he settled last in a field of seven and powered to the line to win by 3 1/2 lengths.

- Disaster struck glamour WA sprinter Zelemar Fever in last night's Sapphire Crown (515m) at Sandown Park, tumbling early and finishing last.