A testing week for co-trainers Grant and Alana Williams ended on a rich high after their rejuvenated galloper Western Empire won the Group 3 $1.5 million Gold Rush (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Running out of chances to have an impact on the Ascot carnival after the Colonel Reeves Stakes and Winterbottom Stakes, the Williamses were dealt a savage blow earlier in the week when champion jockey William Pike suffered a broken wrist in an accident and couldn’t partner Western Empire in the Gold Rush.
Scurrying for a replacement, the Williamses turned to eastern states hoop, Billy Egan as Pike’s standby and the Victorian rider, riding for the first time in Perth, more than capably filled the breach, executing a perfect steer from an awkward barrier on the seven-year-old.
From barrier 12 Egan found cover in the second half of the field before the Iffraaj gelding cut loose and surged to the front inside the final 200m, going on to score by 1 ½ lengths from Magnificent Andy with race favourite, Super Smink a long-head away third.
Grant Willams wore a satisfied smile after the race, content with another major Perth prize, but admitted a few days earlier at home his mood was dark and in contrast after they were frantically rushing to find a replacement rider for Pike.
“That’s pretty good,” Williams said.
“Everyone close to me knows I threw the teddy out the cot, Monday and Tuesday.
“It’s lucky that Larns (Alana) is the solid part between the two of us because she takes the emotion out of it.
“He (Western Empire) was working so good leading up towards the Winterbottom.
“We thought we were a big chance to win it.
“It’s been a hectic week, hasn’t it.”
Winning the Gold Rush was ‘the cherry on the cake’ for Egan while Lord Gannicus was the perfect ending after taking out the last in an upset result.
Egan’s whirlwind week ended as best as he could have wished for.
“It’s been a pretty good week,” Egan said.
“I found out maybe Monday night in Melbourne that I was going to ride the horse.
“I had all week to prepare and been looking forward to it all week.
“First time riding here I’ve had a great experience.”
Western Empire, who has been a firm favourite of the Williamses, earned the highest honour with a Group 1 victory in the Railway Stakes (1600m) three years ago.
He was desperately unlucky not to make it a Group 1 double a fortnight later when runner-up to stable mate Regal Power in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m).
Western Empire rekindled his fondness for familiar surroundings, back under the care of the Williamses after an unsuccessful stint in Melbourne, going without a win in seven starts.
Purchased by the Williamses and stable clients in an online sale, Western Empire took prizemoney to $2.6 million and there are plans to boost that tally in next year’s $5 million Quokka (1200m), a slot race in April.
“There are things we can adjust going into a Quokka,” Williams said.
“We’ll front it up first up.
“We’ll definitely be hoping someone signs him up.”
Julio Santarelli