Perth’s champion jockey William Pike will prepare himself for a light ride if he decides to go with the filly Arcadia Queen in the 2018 Group 1 $1m Magic Millions Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot in Perth on December 8.
Trap For Fools, above, is well in contention in the betting for the Kingston Town Classic at Ascot in Perth. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Pike has the choice to ride W.A. Guineas winner Arcadia Queen or her stablemate, Railway Stakes winner Galaxy Star in the weight for age Kingston Town Classic.
Pike was aboard both the Bob Peters owned, Grand and Alana Williams trained gallopers last Saturday at Ascot when Arcadia Queen beat the three year old colts and geldings and the fillies in the Group 2 $500,000 Sky Racing W.A. Guineas (1600m) and Galaxy Star overcame a slow start to win the Group 1 $1m Kirin Railway Stakes (1600m).
Under the weight for age scale for the Kingston Town Classic, the three year old filly Arcadia Queen only has to carry 50kg while Galaxy Star, a four year old mare, has 57kg on her back.
Pike has a huge opinion of both the filly and mare, but with still a week before he has to decide, he is already leaning to the lightly weighted Arcadia Queen.
“It’s an extremely tough decision and I don’t really know, but I’m going to see how they both pull up,” Pike told TABradio.
“But to be honest I think the three-year-olds get into the race so well, I’m probably leaning that way.
“It’s not because one is better than the other, but mainly because a big weight relief will be a huge factor.”
Pike will start a strict weight watching routine today just in case he decides to stick with the lightly weighted Arcadia Queen.
“I should be able to do it relatively comfortably,” Pike said.
“The beauty is that I’ve got time and it’s not like it snuck up on me.
“Even though I haven’t made a decision to rider her, I’ve decided in the next few days to get my weight in check, just in case that’s the way I go.”
Arcadia Queen and Galaxy Star are currently sharing favouritism at $4 for the Kingston Town Classic at Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of the Mackinnon Stakes winner Trap For Fools at $6 and Railway Stakes placegetter Material Man at $8.
Early betting for the 2018 Kingston Town Classic at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4 Galaxy Star, Arcadia Queen, $6 Trap For Fools, $8 Material Man, $11 Peaceful State, $13 Gatting, $16 Action, Holy Snow, Man Booker, $17 Scales Of Justice, $18 Lady Cosmology, Prized Icon, $21 Achernar Star, Aloisia, Great Shot, Iconoclasm, Perfect Jewel, $26 or better the rest.
The post Pike thinks Arcadia Queen will rule in 2018 Kingston Town Classic appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au.
