Pike Not Conceding To Camelot
Leading jockey William Pike is confident Arcadia Queen has what it takes to turn the tables on boom galloper Russian Camelot in Saturday’s Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield.
Russian Camelot was too powerful for the Pierro mare in the Underwood Stakes (1800m) on September 26 at the same venue, where he scored by 1 ¾ lengths.
Arcadia Queen fought on gamely to finish third in the $750,000 event but was ultimately no match for Russian Camelot.
The Caulfield Stakes will be the first time the five-year-old has stepped up to the 2000m trip and Pike said he was looking forward to another clash with the Cox Plate favourite.
“She was great when she ran third the other day,” he told TABradio’s Digby Beacham.
“I don’t think that was a bad result by any means, it was a Group 1 and a very good Group 1.
“I’ve got a few little things I’ll try and do different with her.
“I might have been sucked into being one spot too close with her which took away from her finish.
“I’m definitely hopeful I can beat him.”
Arcadia Queen and Russian Camelot will be joined in the Caulfield Stakes by three other runners who also contested the Underwood Stakes in Humidor, Gailo Chop and Harbour Views.
Fellow Group 1 winners Kings Will Dream and Levendi were also among the 13 nominations.
It’s expected Arcadia Queen will progress to the Cox Plate (2040m) following Saturday’s Caulfield Stakes, where she’s a $26 chance with TABtouch.
Pike also gave a strong indication he would ride Superstorm over Windstorm in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) on the Caulfield card.
Superstorm finished seventh in the Turnbull Stakes last Saturday and is poised to drop back to the mile this weekend.
Pike’s Caulfield Guineas mount Ole Kirk has drawn barrier seven for the $2 million feature this weekend and is a $4.60 favourite with TABtouch.
He will also team up with Yosemite in the Thousand Guineas (1600m) for the three-year-old fillies, who is an $81 chance with TABtouch.
Tim Walker