All On Red ($2.50f) looked professional on debut when running away with victory and again showed exemplary racing nous by darting to the front in the first contest.
Once clicked up early in the straight by Luke Campbell, the Doubtland youngster abandoned his rivals and put a three-length dent in the pack.
He kept up the gallop to race to a comfy two-and-a-half-length success, taking his earnings to more than $130,000 after just two starts and double his $62,500 purchase fee.
Shaping as a duel between Be Bardot ($3.20) and First Encounter ($2.45f), Pike got the former out of the gates quickly to sit in fourth place and only two and a half lengths from the lead, while the latter drifted to last.
Peeled wide on the bend and produced at the 200m, Be Bardot shot to the front and with First Encounter left with too much to do, the five-year-old Toronado mare won by a length and a quarter, while Atlantis Beach ($16) nosed First Encounter out of second place.
(Image: Be Bardot successful with William Pike)
Kraken Time ($2.05f) has developed a frustrating reputation for frequently finding himself in spots of bother but began well before dropping out second last in the third event.
Initially going up the inside, Holly Watson took luck out of the equation by drawing him to the extreme outside on the home turn and letting him stride.
Sustaining a sprint, the enigmatic five-year-old drew level with Bartime ($20) 100m out before coming away to score by more than a length.
Exquisite Taste ($19) entered the fourth race as the least experienced starter with the least experienced jockey, Amy Jo Hayes, on board.
That proved of little consequence as the two tyros began a run from fourth place at the 500m to present a challenge.
However, after being caught flat-footed on the turn, the four-year-old was accosted on either side by Romantic Ruler ($11) and Major Mario ($11).
But this was the competition the gelding needed, digging in grandly to churn out a neck victory
After beginning well, Rolling Ruler ($4.60) pierced his way through to second place outside Last Stylebender ($4.60) approaching the final bend.
Travelling smoothly, Troy Turner asked the big bay for a response at the 200m, and he raced to the front 100m later.
Despite Last Stylebender fighting bravely to the post, there was a short neck in Bruce Watkins’ gelding’s favour at the line.
Too Dardy ($12) faced an even bigger task to turn the tables on Kay Tee Why ($2.35f) after missing the start and being buried near last with just 350m to go.
However, Brandon Louis scythed his way through the field and the pair grabbed the front with 50m left.
Notwithstanding a furious late assault from Kay Tee Why, Too Dardy survived the bid to scramble in by a short half-head.
Enduring a three wide no cover transit is no mean feat, especially over 2100m.
But Antique Star ($2.65f) moved arrogantly to the front-runners passing the 500m to strike the front before the turn.
When Amy Jo Hayes finally got to work at the 250m, the five-year-old had more than a length in hand over Candlelight Supper ($21) and swiftly dismissed that challenge before churning to a length-and-a-half win.
It supplied the Irish-born apprentice jockey with a red-letter day in the saddle, recording a metropolitan double in the cerise-and-white Peters’ silks.
(Image: Antique Star gives Amy Jo Hayes a double)
The eighth race served as a tremendous undercard to the day’s main event, with several talented types carrying Pinnacles ambitions showcasing their wares.
Opportunistic ($2.65f) had only suffered his first defeat two weeks ago, September Born ($3.70) was the hype horse of last spring and Playin’it Sweet ($5.50) had won four in a row, the last of which was particularly taking.
Asphalt ($6.50) had won four in a row of his own but in lesser company and faced a baptism of fire, especially from gate 11.
After just a modest getaway, Chris Parnham charged Asphalt into fourth place, parking in a lovely spot one-out and one-back.
When his cover disappeared at the 600m, Parnham nudged the five-year-old into action and raced past pacemaker Deel Her In ($15) with 150m to go.
Flanked by September Born and Playin’it Sweet on either side, the gelding fought tigerishly to grit out a win by the barest possible margin.
(Image: Trainer Josh Krispyn and jockey Chris Parnham)
Since his debut win, King Of Light ($4) had been flagged as a true contender for next month’s WA Guineas (1600m).
Bookmakers had little hesitation in rolling him into a dominant $2.75 fancy for that contest following his captivating triumph in the Listed $125,000 Belgravia Stakes (1200m) in a last-gasp effort.
Despite being cajoled into action by Pike early, the chestnut remained in the second half of the pack nearing the home turn.
Eventually extricated to the outside by the leading hoop at the 250m, the Earthlight gelding roared down the outside to grab Snitzalatte ($2.90f) in the last few hops after that galloper had appeared to steal a race-winning lead with 100m to go.
With only two runs under her belt – the last of which being a maiden victory – Nicciana ($4.40) still entered the final event as one of the fancies considering the emphatic nature of that success.
In the Peters’ colours, this time with Clint Johnston-Porter in the irons, the four-year-old tailed Chino La Diva before shouldering into the open on the final bend.
Blasting to the top early in the straight, the chestnut kept up her momentum to zoom to a cosy two-and-a-quarter-length win from Kelora ($8.50).
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY
King Of Light cementing his status as one of, if not the best, three-year-old in the State with a thrilling finish in the Belgravia Stakes. He gave every indication a rise in distance will suit, which sends an ominous bugle to his WA Guineas cavalry.
HORSE TO FOLLOW
Bartime (Race 3)
Sat three wide without cover for the duration and had the guts to take the front at the top of the straight and, fleetingly, look a good winning chance. The effort had a lot of merit and in similar company with a better gate next time, he will take beating.
Hayden King