The ‘Wiz Of The West’ William Pike will ride the lightly weighted filly Arcadia Queen in the 2018 Group 1 $1m Magic Millions Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot in Perth on December 8.
Pike had the choice of riding the Bob Peters owned Arcadia Queen or Galaxy Star after steering both to victory at Ascot last Saturday.
A copy book ride by Pike saw Arcadia Queen beat the three year olds in the Group 2 $500,000 Sky Racing W.A. Guineas (1600m) before Pike showed why he is the best in the west when he brought Galaxy Star from near the tail of the field to overhaul her rivals in the Group 1 $1m Kirin Railway Stakes (1600m).
The Kingston Town Classic is run under weight for age conditions which means Arcadia Queen, a three year old filly, will only have to carry 50kg while her stablemate, four year old mare Galaxy Star, is scheduled to carry 57kg.
Pike gave himself a couple of days to ponder on his choice but announced that he would get his weight down to the 50kg to ride Arcadia Queen while Chris Parnham has picked up the Kingston Town Classic ride on Galaxy Star.
“I can’t split them on ability,” Pike told The West Australian.
“But the weights factor was first when making a choice and three-year-olds have a good record in this race. I’ve won it on a filly (Perfect Reflection).”
Pike carried the Bob Peters’ cerise and white colours to victory on the three year old filly Perfect Reflection in the 2015 Kingston Town Classic.
Pike had ridden both Arcadia Queen and Galaxy Star for the majority of their starts during both their racing careers although, Parnham was aboard Arcadia Queen two starts back when she won the Group 3 $200,000 W.A. Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) at Ascot in Perth on November 17.
Arcadia Queen is now the clear $3.20 favourite for the Kingston Town Classic at Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of her Group 1 winning stablemate Galaxy Star at $4.60 and Mackinnon Stakes winner Trap For Fools at $6.
Early betting for the 2018 Kingston Town Classic at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.20 Arcadia Queen, $4.60 Galaxy Star, $6 Trap For Fools, $9 Material Man, $11 Gatting, $15 Holy Snow, Perfect Jewel, $17 Man Booker, Scales Of Justice, Iconoclasm, $21 Great Shot, Prized Icon, $26 Achernar Star, $34 or better the rest.
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