Star hoop welcomes Pike
STAR jockey Tommy Berry welcomes any increase in competition champion hoop William Pike will bring to Sydney and was more than happy to see the WA talent join the city’s red-hot riding ranks.
Pike, known affectionately as the Wizard Of The West, will switch coast lines next month in a bid to continue his riding career in Sydney.
The multiple Group 1 winning rider’s stand against Covid vaccination will force him away from WA racing once that state’s vaccination mandate kicks in on February 5.
NSW is the only state Pike will be able to ride in as it no longer requires riders to be double vaccinated after moving in line with state government protocols last month.
But the leading hoop is set to face some of the stiffest competition that he’s ever come up against on a regular basis when he joins what is regarded as one of the strongest riding environments in the world.
The likes of Berry, James McDonald, Hugh Bowman, Kerrin McEvoy, Jason Collett and Rachel King are just a few of the hoops riding in the region.
“It makes the competition a bit harder but competition helps make riders what we are. I welcome it,” Berry said.
“It‘s not going to be easy and you’ve always got to work for your opportunities, which is always the case, it’s never smooth sailing for anyone moving to a new place.
“Look at Joao Moreira, he’s one of the best riders in the world and took a long time to settle in Sydney carnivals while Will took some time to settle in his first couple of trips to Melbourne before his last one.”
Pike’s move to Sydney has caused widespread debate across the industry, particularly on social media, with some corners of the riding ranks frustrated by the change in vaccination protocols.
It’s understood a number of jockeys, as well as stable staff, in NSW were not planning to have the vaccine but were left with no option but to have it or be forced out of the industry.
Those same participants would no longer require that vaccination status under revised Racing NSW health and safety protocols.
Berry accepts that Pike’s arrival as within the current rules and, while not agreeing with the West Aussie’s vaccination stance, respects his right to make his own choice.
“It doesn't worry me,” Berry said.
“Will isn’t breaking any rules. Obviously he is not double vaxxed and this is the only place he can ride.
“Myself and my family have all had the vax and my views on that are not the same as his but I do commend him for standing up for what he believes.”