Jockey to challenge big guns in Sydney
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 as the Wizard of the West, will switch coastlines 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 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 he’s ever come up against regularly when he joins what is regarded as one of the strongest riding jurisdictions in the world.
The likes of Berry, James Mcdonald, Hugh Bowman, Kerrin Mcevoy, Jason Collett and Rachel King are just a few of the jockeys Pike will come up against virtually every time he steps out.
“It makes the competition a bit harder but competition helps make riders what we are,” Berry said.
“It’s not going to be easy and you’ve 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 into Sydney carnivals while Will took some time to settle in his first couple of trips to Melbourne before his last one.”
Berry accepts 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 on the issue.
“I commend him for standing up for what he believes.”