Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Written by Jackson Frantz
William Pike’s riding skills were again showcased aboard Western Australian galloper Dom To Shoot (Shooting To Win) when they successfully combined in the Listed Mornington Guineas.
The highly-rated Sean and Jake Casey-trained 3-year-old proved too classy for his less credentialled rivals, despite being set a task from barrier 11. The stable later celebrated Listed Neds Hareeba S. success with Pike and Lavverod (Toronado {Ire}).
Pike was forced to plot a wide course aboard the Group-performed gelding after being dictated to by the outside draw. Down the back, they were caught the widest of all runners.
On straightening, Pike presented in a six-wide position and Dom To Shoot didn’t falter, continuing to reel in a brave Lets Karaka Deel (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) over the concluding 100 metres.
Co-trainer Jake Casey was delighted by the stable’s first success on Victorian soil, declaring that they were happy to walk away with a victory at any level.
He said they were confident their galloper could make amends for his lacklustre last-start showing in the G1 Australian Guineas, when finishing a distant 13th.
“We were scratching our heads with him after his last start, it wasn’t what we expected going into the race” Casey told Racing.com.
“We were scratching our heads with him (Dom To Shoot) after his last start, it wasn’t what we expected going into the race.” – Jake Casey
“There wasn’t a lot wrong with him post-race, there was just a few small excuses we attended to, but it was good to get him back to his best today.”
Pike lauded the efforts of Casey and his partner Bonnie for bringing their contingent of runners across the Nullarbor in such good order, stating that it was a big achievement to secure black type at their first raid on Victoria.
William Pike and Dom To Shoot (black cap) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
The star jockey was thrilled to secure a victory for the Casey combination, pointing out that it had been six years since they had partnered a winner together.
He said the race didn’t pan out as expected, outlining he had planned to ride his mount further forward. However, it proved to be the winning move according to Pike, who declared Dom To Shoot relished having horses in front of him to run down.
“I always planned to ride him conservatively, but I was hoping to find a three wide line and have him a little bit closer than that, but it wasn’t the way it panned out,” Pike told Racing.com.
“However, he enjoyed settling back in the field and having one last run on at them.”
