Rey Magnerio is front of mind for William Pike as he prepares for Saturday’s Winterbottom Stakes, but the star jockey admits he is equally preoccupied with an even bigger decision looming later in The Pinnacles.
Pike must choose between two standout 1600-metre winners he partnered last weekend at Ascot—both heading toward the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) on December 6.
First he produced a trademark Railway Stakes victory aboard Watch Me Rock, then less than an hour later he delivered a polished Group 2 performance to win the WA Guineas on King Of Light.
Pike had hoped the drive back to Bunbury would help clear his mind, but instead he found himself no closer to an answer.
“It’s a good problem to have, they’re going to converge in one race, but honestly I don’t know,” Pike told SENTrack.
“I’m going to have to flip a coin or something like that.
“Obviously, I’ve gone through it all. Watch Me Rock probably doesn’t get in that well at the weights, whereas King Of Light does.
“Three-year-olds have a good record in the race, but I think Watch Me Rock still had another length up his sleeve (on Saturday), he was waiting on the line.
“It’s very difficult…it’s a good problem to have. I’m not used to making a decision like this, but I’ve got to hope something gives me an answer somehow.”
Following his Guineas win, King Of Light has tightened into $3 favouritism for the Northerly, while Watch Me Rock remains a genuine chance at double-figure odds for Grant and Alana Williams.
Weight-for-age conditions give King Of Light a significant pull at 52kg, with Watch Me Rock rising to 59kg after carrying 54kg in the Railway Stakes—but Pike insists weight is irrelevant to his choice.
“I don’t mind about the weight, I’m not that heavyweight rider – it just means I’d have to behave for a couple of weeks on the weight side – but I just want to try and make the right choice,” he said.
As for the Winterbottom, Pike has already locked in Rey Magnerio after receiving the call-up from trainer Robbie Griffiths.
He rode Oscar’s Fortune into second behind Joker’s Grin in the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes, but doubted he could reverse the result in this weekend’s 1200-metre contest.
“He’s done nothing wrong, he’s been very good, but I just wasn’t sure if we’d be able to beat Joker’s Grin so I was looking for another option to see if I could have a knockout blow,” Pike said.
Pike will attempt to add a fourth Winterbottom Stakes trophy to his record, having previously scored with Ellicorsam (2004), Hadabeclorka (2010) and Graceful Girl (2021).
Punters eyeing the Winterbottom Stakes should check the leading Australian betting sites for the best odds before placing their bets.