Willie Pike is riding in career-best form and that was underlined when King Of Light and Watch Me Rock dominated Day 2 of The Pinnacles under ‘The Wiz’ at Ascot on Saturday.

King Of Light maintained his unbeaten record in the G2 WA Guineas (1600m) after Pike extricated the Dan Morton-trained chestnut from a pocket in the straight before launching late to defeat Heeza Phoenix.

He completed a running double aboard Watch Me Rock and it was a much easier watch in the G1 Railway Stakes (1600m).  The Williams Racing galloper made it 6 wins in 8 starts this year after sitting pretty one out and one back in Perth’s elite mile.

Pike now has the difficult decision of choosing between King Of Light and Watch Me Rock in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot on December 6.  Bookmakers have installed King Of Light a $3 pre-post favourite ahead of stablemates Western Empire ($4.60) and Watch Me Rock ($6.50).

“The pressure’s on to perform in these big races and picking the right horse in the Northerly isn’t going to be easy,” Pike admitted.  “Watch Me Rock was always travelling like a winner today but the three year-olds have an enormous record in the Northerly.

“There will be a few sleepless nights and I will worry about it when the times comes to make a decision.”  Under the weight-for-age scale, King Of Light will carry 52kg and Watch Me Rock 59kg.

King Of Light (3g Earthlight – Queen’s Parade by Dalghar) was coming off Listed wins in the Belgravia Stakes (1200m) and Fairetha Stakes (1400m) and relished the step up to a mile although it wasn’t all plain sailing.

“I thought we were going to need some luck when he rolled back to the fence at the top of the straight,” Morton remarked.  “But with Pikey on top, you just sort of back the fact that he’s going to find a way.  And the horse has got a big motor with a laid-back demeanour.  He’s beautiful to train and is now five from five.  Not many do it so there’s a lot of upside.”

King Of Light’s pedigree and background can be viewed here

Watch Me Rock (5g Awesome Rock – What Choux Want by Jimmy Choux) claimed a first Group 1 for trainers Grant and Alana Williams since they split with Peters Investments and it was also a Group 1 first for Gold Front sire Awesome Rock (Fastnet Rock).

Ridgeport Farm owner Santo Guagliardo was winning his second Railway following Bustler (Playing God) in 2023 and he races Watch Me Rock with Marge Ojapold, Ben Gudjonsson and Angelina Blaskovic after failing to make a $40,000 reserve at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions.

“I didn’t expect to be so close in running or to hit the front that soon,” Pike said after notching his 18th Group 1 win.  “Credit to the horse and to Grant and Alana Williams.  They turn them out for big races like no one else can.

“It’s been a few years since my last Group 1.  I judge myself on how I perform in the big events and it’s hard to say you’re the best when you’re not winning Group 1 races.”

Watch Me Rock’s pedigree and background can be viewed here