PIKE EYES SECOND ALL STAR MILE VICTORY

Pike won the 2020 edition of the $5m All Star Mile aboard Regal Power and has spent the last few weeks in Melbourne going through the motions of quarantine and preparing to ride Arcadia Queen in the 2021 race to be held at the Valley.

The jockey has tasted Group 1 success again in Melbourne recently winning the Oakleigh Plate aboard Celebrity Queen at Caulfield last month and it’s a flavour the champion jockey is keen to taste again.

“Anything less than a win for us is a disappointment. That’s the whole point of being here,” Pike said.

“We’ve come and tried to set ourselves for this race and this is our grand final and we always want to win the grand final.”

Bob Peters, the owner of Arcadia Queen landed the Quinella last year after Regal Power beat stablemate Superstorm to victory. Although PIke admits the field is stronger this year he is no less confident that Arcadia Queen can get the job done as the superior horse.

“In my time riding for Mr Peters, she’s definitely the best horse,” Pike said.

“Just the size of her and the strength of her, she’s definitely the best I’ve ridden for him.

“Over the years, there’s always been the potential one but she’s got it on the board.”

Arcadia Queen had her chances to win the worlds richest mile race when drawing barrier 5 for the race. 

“It looks a mini-Cox Plate and it looks like it’s going to be a high-pressure race, as it should.

“It’s (worth) big money and it should be high pressure and the one that handles the pressure best will win.” Pike said.

The Williams runner currently leads betting in the market at $3.40. 

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