Champion Western Australian jockey William Pike is set to make his highly anticipated return to the saddle this Saturday at Flemington, marking the end of a frustrating injury layoff.
The 38-year-old, has been sidelined since December 7 after fracturing his wrist in an e-scooter accident.
Pike’s return ride will be aboard fellow WA galloper Aztec Ruler in the Listed Elms Handicap (1400m) for trainer Stefan Vahala.
“The wrist is feeling pretty good,” Pike told Racing WA.
“Fitness probably isn’t quite where it should be, but it will be okay for the one ride.”
Aztec Ruler, a proven talent over the 1400m distance, has shown mixed form in Melbourne.
He put in a bold first-up performance when running second in the Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington but failed to fire when finishing unplaced in the Listed John Dillon Stakes (1400m) at Sandown.
“He’s picked up, looks better, is working better, but you still don’t know what you are going to get,” Pike said.
“He had to be picked up off the floor and the team have done a very good job in doing it.”
A tough task awaits Aztec Ruler, as he has drawn the outside barrier (11) in the field of 11 runners, with top horse racing betting sites having him marked as a $7.50 chance.
However, a win in The Elms Handicap would secure the horse a spot in the lucrative Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m), a significant incentive for connections.
Having missed out on the winning ride aboard Western Empire in the $1.5 million Gold Rush due to his injury, Pike is determined to make up for lost time.
His return to Flemington on Saturday could be the first step in reclaiming his dominance in the saddle.
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