Grant & Alana Williams have claimed another WA feature event, this time with old marvel Western Empire saluting in The Gold Rush (1400m) at Ascot.
Victorian jockey Billy Egan was the beneficiary of some misfortune for regular jockey William Pike who was ruled out for six weeks during the week following an incident on an e-scooter.
Following a luckless run in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) and having drawn out in barrier 15 for Saturday’s assignment, horse racing bookmakers had the son of Iffraaj a $6.50 quote prior to the jump, despite opening a $3.60 favourite when the final field was declared on Tuesday.
With plenty of pace out in front set by Red Can Man, Ripcord and Comfort Me, the race was always going to be set up perfectly for the eventual winner who had a perfect trail from the rear of the field in the three-wide line.
With market fancies Super Smink and Magnificent Andy looking for runs approaching the home turn, Egan had Western Empire in clear air and building through the gears.
The difference in running proved beneficial, with the former Group 1 winner going on to claim victory in the third edition of The Gold Rush.
The Gold Rush 2024 Replay – Western Empire
When Willie Pike had a tumble from an e-scooter on Monday and as a result, broke his wrist, the cat was really put amongst the pigeons as the Williams’ scrambled for a replacement rider before eventually calling on Victorian Billy Egan, who they had never met previously.
“Everyone close to me knows I threw the teddy out of the cot on Monday and Tuesday. It is lucky Alana is the solid part between the two of us because she takes the emotion out of it,” Grant Williams said.
“The Gold Rush has been our goal all along but he was working that good before the Winterbottom, we thought we were a chance to win it, and obviously we weren’t.
“It has been a hectic week. A lot of people over East said this guy is a ripper. He is Paddy Payne’s main rider and he is one of the hardest markers.
“He is a champion bloke they said and my first impressions when we met before the first were really good.”
Egan, who had never previously ridden in Perth, was pleased he had a few sighters on some stablemates.
“It has been a pretty good week. I found out on Monday night in Melbourne that I was going to ride the horse, so I’ve had the week to prepare and I have been looking forward to it all week,” he said.
“First time riding here and I’ve had a great experience and even better, I’ve ridden a winner.
“I needed to get a feel for the track and a feel for the surroundings.”
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