Cover image courtesy of Western Racepix
Punters plunged the ultra-talented 4-year-old into a raging $1.60 favourite in the 135th edition of the Railway S. - with last Saturday’s R J Peters S. winner Kissonallforcheeks (Written Tycoon) at $6 - and the only other runner under double-figure odds in the 16-horse field.
Western Australian sprinting legend Asian Beau (Beau Sovereign {NZ}) was backed into a $1.90 favourite, before winning the 1979 Railway for trainer Bert Harrison as a 4-year-old stallion.
William Pike and Western Empire (NZ) | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
For Peters, co-trainers Grant and Alana Williams and jockey William Pike winning the Railway has become almost customary. Their other three winners were Inspirational Girl (Reliable Man {GB}), Regal Power (Pierro), and Galaxy Star (Redoute’s Choice).
Western Empire’s colossal effort at just his 12th start saw Peters upstage owners Smith and Co, who had claimed a Railway hat-trick, with Hermit (1889), Wandering Willie (1890) and Will O’The Whisp (1891).
Pike surpassed the great Frank Treen to now boast a record of five Railway wins. The champion jockey’s claimed his first Railway on the outstanding Peters-owned mare Elite Belle (Canny Lad) in 2014. Elite Belle was Grant Williams first win in the Railway.
The unstoppable trio
In 2016 Williams formed a training partnership with his wife former top apprentice Alana.
Peters' has won a total of six Railways after claiming their initial Railway with Old Comrade (Old Spice) in 2001.
Tahni, Grant and Alana Williams and William Pike | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
Western Empire has been unstoppable romping away with an amazing seven straight wins in elite company. He absolutely dominated the latter end of the 3-year-old season when cutting a swathe through the Listed Lex Piper S., J C Roberts S., Melvista S., and G2 WATC Derby last autumn.
Western Empire stamped himself as the horse to beat in the Railway with his 2.1l demolition of his rivals in the Asian Beau S. at Ascot on October 30.
Peters' is a master having beaten the handicapper each time qualifying his horses on the minimum weight in the Railway. His past four winners were weighted on the 53kg limit. Old Comrade and Elite Belle carried 53.5kg.
“It took us a very long time to win our first Railway,” Peters said. “And then it took us a long time to win our second Railway. I seem to have got the knack of winning it over the more recent years. He (Western Empire) did it quite well.”
“I seem to have got the knack of winning it (The Railway) over the more recent years. He (Western Empire) did it quite well.” - Bob Peters
Peters' discussed plans with Pike to have Western Empire away from the fence after drawing barrier three on Tuesday.
Pike bounced Western Empire out to the gelding travelling strongly two out in fifth placing behind the leader Massimo (Sessions).
Pike peeled out on the home turn edging forward before pouncing to the lead at the 150 metres and streaking away to win by 4l over Comfort Me (Playing God) with Kissonallforcheeks finishing 1.5l further behind in third place.
“We decided to have him up closer to the leaders and to keep him off the fence. We got a good run through.”
“We decided to have him (Western Empire) up closer to the leaders and to keep him off the fence. We got a good run through.” - Bob Peters
Western Empire will be Peters’ top seed in the stable’s defence in Saturday week’s $1 million Drummond Golf Kingston Town Classic (1800 metres).
Truly Great (Dundeel {NZ}), brilliantly won WA’s premier weight-for-age event for Peters, Williams and jockey Chris Parnham last year. Unfortunately Truly Great died from a suspected snake bite earlier this year.
“He will meet his opposition at high weights in the Kingston Town,” Peters said. “If he pulls up well he will go forward into the race.”
Taking on the Kingston
Peters' looks to hold a strong hand in the Kingston Town following Treasured Star’s (Toronado {Ire}) emphatic 1.75l win in the G2 WA Guineas (1600 metres).
The filly was having only her fifth start when storming away to beat Stay Safe (Safeguard) with her stable-mate Devoted (Xtravagant {NZ}) taking the minor end of the trifecta a further 0.5l behind.
Treasured Star after winning the G2 WA Guineas | Image courtesy Western Racepix
Arcadia Queen (Pierro) won the WA Guineas and Kingston Town Classic double for Peters in 2018.
Connections decided on the addition of blinkers for the first time on Treasured Star in the classic.
“She is just such a casual filly in a race that we thought she needed the blinkers to switch her on a bit more.
“I didn’t think she was a big, strong filly and we only had about three runs in her this campaign so I decided to bypass last week’s WA Champion Fillies' S. and go straight into the Guineas. It has all worked out well.”
Gallery: A few of Pike's winning rides
Four of Pike’s five winners on a Red-letter day were for Peters on Western Empire, Treasured Star, Pure Devotion (So You Think {NZ}) and Expressionist (Pierro), His other winner was for Neil Irvine on Proconsent (Proart).
Pike was elated by the dominant performance from Western Empire, but he was emphatic that Elite Belle’s victory in 2014 was his most enjoyable.
“Nothing will beat Elite Belle,” Pike said. “I think Regal Power was the best ability-wise. He proved that form when he went to Melbourne and won the All-Star Mile.”
“Nothing will beat Elite Belle. I think Regal Power was the best ability-wise. He proved that form when he went to Melbourne and won the All-Star Mile.” - William Pike
Trainer Neville Parnham announced 2019 Kingston Town Classic winner Kay Cee (Playing God) was to be retired following her 15th placing in the Railway.
Western Empire with Western Australian hero Pike on top returned to a raucous applause from the big crowd gathered welcome the triumphant duo back into the winner’s stall.
