There isn’t much more that can be said about WA racing’s most powerful combination, William Pike and Grant and Alana Williams.
For the best part of two decades, the champion jockey and trainers took all before them in WA’s biggest feature races and some in Melbourne with top-class gallopers raced by leading owner-breeder, Bob Peters.
That team was partially broken up two years ago when Team Williams split with Peters, choosing to branch out on their own with new owners.
But Monday’s Perth Cup proved the results will be much the same, with Casino Seventeen’s heart-stopping victory over Be Optimistic further proof of Pike and the Williams’ success on the big stage.
Pike was caught in a difficult position back in the field and in between rivals. There were some nervous moments, but punters and others need not worry when the man known as ‘The Wizard’ is on board.
He hooked Casino Seventeen into the clear to make his run out wide just before the turn. Casino Seventeen sprinted powerfully, hitting the front at the 100m and holding off Be Optimistic narrowly.
As Pike often does in tight photon finishes, he pushed Casino Seventeen’s head down right on the line to secure another victory.
Team Williams is recognised as WA’s best ‘grand final’ trainers for their incredible ability to have horses peaking for big features.
Casino Seventeen had not won from his five starts leading into the Perth Cup, but it was all about this one race, the first-ever $1 million edition of the iconic race on New Year’s Day.
Be Optimistic was brave in defeat but left young trainer Luke Fernie with mixed emotions. It was yet another near-miss for him in a big feature race during this Ascot carnival.
It did, however, cement his status as one of WA racing’s brightest young prospects and big feature wins will come for him in the near future.