A frustrating stint on the sidelines is almost over for champion jockey, William Pike, who hopes to be back riding in the next month.
Out of action since December, Pike can see light at the end of the tunnel after receiving a positive medical report from his specialist.
Pike, a multiple winner of Perth’s jockey premiership, is eager to get back in the saddle after breaking his wrist in an e-scooter accident.
Requiring surgery, Pike’s unfortunate accident proved costly as he was due to jump aboard $1.5 million Gold Rush winner, Western Empire.
After missing out on Perth’s feature Group 1 races, the Winterbottom Stakes, the Railway Stakes and the Northerly Stakes, Pike was hungry to close out Ascot's Pinnacles carnival on a high.
Pike had to settle for feature success earlier with classy three-year-old Storyville in the Champion Fillies Stakes and the WA Guineas.
Pike's latest untimely setback continued his 2024 injury woes after a broken heel kept him out for a lengthy time at the start of the year.
“William saw the specialist last week and he was happy with his progress,” said Pike’s manager, Dale Verhagen to Racing WA.
“The time frame is around three to four weeks, but being his wrist, an important element of riding, William won’t rush back.
“He’s erring on the side of caution which is natural when you consider out of the last 15-months he’s missed six through injury.”
In Pike’s absence, Chris Parnham has shot to a clear lead in Perth’s jockey premiership.
Parnham, fresh from an Ascot treble on Saturday and a double at Bunbury last Sunday, has booted home 67 city winners.
Pike is stranded on 47 ½ city wins but still maintains a healthy lead over Group 1 Railway Stakes hero, Clint Johnston-Porter.
Despite missing around three months with his broken heel at the beginning of 2024, Pike was able to overhaul Parnham to clinch his 14th Perth jockey’s title last season.
Julio Santarelli