It’s a minor stain on his storied riding career if that, but it’s one that champion Perth hoop William Pike is desperate to wipe clean. Despite 17 Group 1s next to his name and a host of Australia’s biggest races locked away in his trophy cabinet, Morphettville has not been a happy hunting ground for Pike. For a jockey who demands personal success and abhors failure, the fact that Pike’s winning record at Morphettville stands at zero is one that rankles and annoys him. Pike has booted home big interstate wins at Randwick, Rosehill, Hawkesbury, Newcastle, Caulfield, Mornington, Flemington, Moon ..read more

Fresh from one of the most satisfying days he’s experienced on a race track, trainer Grant Williams has outlined ambitious plans for outstanding Northam Stakes winner, Western Empire. The short term has been locked away with the Belmont Sprint (1400m), Hyperion Stakes (1600m) and Strickland Stakes (2000m) a trio of Group 3 races on the radar for Western Empire. The 2000m Strickland Stakes shapes as the pivotal race for Western Empire with Williams aiming for a coveted start in the prestigious Cox Plate (2040m) this spring in Melbourne. “He’ll go to the Belmont Sprint, the Hyperion is there and ..read more

Perth trainer Simon Miller often has referred to his super mare Amelia’s Jewel as his Ferrari. Like the famed historic Italian automobile, Miller deems Amelia’s Jewel as his slick, fast, finely tuned equine machine. Come Saturday, Miller will have to hand over the keys to his Ferrari as one of Australian racing’s successful partnerships draws to a classy exit. After 15 starts, nine wins, four seconds, $3,426,050 in prizemoney, one Group 1, three Group 2s, two Group 3s and two Listed victories, it’s the end of an era for Miller and Amelia’s Jewel. Western Australia’s pinup horse will run her fi ..read more

Superb Group 2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) champion, Bustling, recently the subject of intense interest from international buyers, is expected to give trainer Dan Morton a second consecutive Perth juvenile feature at Ascot on Saturday. After his astonishing 4 ½ length romp in last fortnight’s Karrakatta Plate, Perth’s richest two-year-old event, Bustling is raging favourite to end his stunning maiden campaign on a winning high in the Group 3 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). To take out the lucrative group double is a feather in the cap of any young horse or trainer, but it’s a feat that Morton k ..read more

Stefan Vahala is feeling a whole better about Aztec Ruler’s prospects going into Sunday’s Tabtouch Group 3 Northam Stakes (1300m) than he was two weeks ago ahead of The Joey (1200m) at Ascot. Vahala had genuine concerns about Aztec Ruler before The Joey and despite the four-year-old  finishing a credible sixth behind Magnificent Andy his fears were unfortunately borne out. With Steven Parnham aboard, Aztec Ruler presented strongly in the straight, but coming back from a minor injury setback, six weeks between races and a wide run throughout proved too high a hurdle to overcome in The Joey ..read more

Who can stop super juvenile Bustling from winning the second-leg of a feature two-year-old double at Ascot on Saturday? After demolishing rivals in the Karrakatta Plate (1200m) by a whopping 4 ¼ lengths, Bustling looks to have a stranglehold on the WA Sire’s (1400m). Bustling is all the rage as the $1.40 favourite with Tabtouch and winning the Sires’s would enhance his status as the next big thing of WA racing. The Russell Stewart-trained Golden Kathleen and Blue Rocket for brothers Dan and Ben Pearce are the only other runners at single figure odds. Costing a modest $3000 as a yearling, Golde ..read more

For the moment, it’s a dream for Robert Witten, but after Fly With Caution’s tough win, he doesn’t think it’s an impossibility. Witten believes progressive gelding Fly With Caution looks bound for better things after carrying big weight at Ascot on Saturday. Lumping 60kg, Fly With Caution appeared vulnerable when he hit the front early in the straight, but he responded when challenged by Cool Memory. The three-year-old was there to be beaten, but his grit and determination was able to drag him across the line and register his third straight win. It completes an almost flawless campaign for the ..read more

Darren McAuliffe justifiably sits in the top bracket of WA trainers. Over the last two decades his racing cv gives solid evidence of his status. McAuliffe’s trained a host of major winners including at the elite level in Melbourne. Gatting’s stunning upset win at  triple figure odds in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington a career-high . So, when the astute horseman gives Saturday’s impressive Ascot winner Chollima a massive rap it’s worth taking note and digging for more validation. The Starspangledbanner filly gave a glimpse of what was on offer for McAuliffe and connect ..read more

Inspired by the Anzac Day service at Kings Park, Shaun McGruddy produced a perfect tactical ride aboard Currimundi to win the Diggers Cup (1800m) at Ascot. Three weeks after winning the Albany Cup over 2100m, the Steve Wolfe-trained Currimundi proved too strong and upset the winning run of favourite Tin Chooks. Starting at $7, Currumundi defeated $2.80 market leader Tin Chooks by half a length with a long-neck separating third placed, Ghobella. McGruddy had Currimundi settled midfield, but his decision to go forward and move ahead of Tin Chooks passing the 800m post proved pivotal. Tin Chooks ..read more

Star WA mare, Amelia’s Jewel, will race under the guidance of Sydney trainer Annabel Neasham after completing her final run for Perth trainer Simon Miller in next month’s G1 Goodwood in Adelaide. Owner-breeder Peter Walsh spoke to Julio Santarelli about the move earlier this morning (Tuesday). Amelia’s Jewel will be trained by @ANeashamRacing following her next start in the Goodwood for @Simon_Miller_ in Adelaide…#TheRacesWA @amelia_racing pic.twitter.com/bjngQFhsbV — The Races WA (@TheRacesWA) April 23, 2024 The post Amelia’s Jewel To Annabel Neasham first appeared on Western Austalian Race ..read more