Support humbles jockey
PLEDGES of support from top Sydney trainers has humbled West Australian jockey William Pike.
Pike is hoping to be in the Harbour City next month, pending licensing and travel arrangements, to begin a forced but unintended east coast relocation.
Team Hawkes, Annabel Neasham and Godolphin have signalled a want to book the popular jockey, who cannot ride in native West Australian after February 5 under Covid vaccination requirements.
Pike forged a successful association with Team Hawkes during 2020 and 2021 Melbourne campaigns, including the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (Ole Kirk) and William Reid Stakes (Masked Crusader).
Pike combined with Team Hawkes in a further four stakes wins.
The combination in Melbourne accrued eight winners and six placings from 23 starts.
Pike also rode 16 times for Godolphin for seven placings.
“I was half expecting to go there (Sydney) just happy to get a ride,” Pike said.
“But when those names (stables) have shown some interest, definitely it is humbling.
“It could do nothing but help (settling in Sydney), having at least some relationships with them (stables), especially Hawkes … but I‘ve got to earn my stripes.”
Pike is under no illusions about competing with James McDonald, Hugh Bowman, Tommy Berry, Kerrin McEvoy and company in one of the world’s strongest racing jurisdictions.
“It’s not going to be easy, they’re not just good riders, they’re some of the best in the world and have proven it,” Pike said.
“It’s also me going into their backyard, which makes it just that bit more difficult.
“It’s (riding) one of those jobs, you do the basics right and worry about being clever later.”
While up for the new challenge, Pike has mixed emotions about the impending move triggered by his vaccination hesitancy, which stems from a bad reaction to the flu shot about 20 years ago.
The personal decision has unintentionally and unfairly made Pike, arguably Australia’s highest profile athlete to baulk at Covid vaccination, an ‘anti-vax’ icon.
“If I’m honest, I wonder why a jockey would draw so much attention over something like this,” Pike said.
“I’m not a politician, I’m not a scientist, I’m not a professor.”