Jockey William Pike has become a punters pal this Spring, and the good luck continued on Saturday as the six-time Group 1 winner saluted aboard Galaxy Star in the $1 million Railway Stakes (1600m). 

It was an Ascot day to remember for Pike, who not only won the Railway, but also the Group 2 W.A Guineas (1600m) on Arcadia Queen the race prior. The victories saw Pike’s winning percentage soar towards 32% across his last 50 rides, although it has left the champion jockey with a couple of tough decisions to make ahead of Saturday week’s Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m).

Among the 102 nominations, both Galaxy Star and Arcadia Queen are likely to feature in the final field. Both runners come from the Grant & Alana Williams stable, but Pike will have to choose just one to ride in next weekend’s race.

“So far they’re both all right,” owner Bob Peters told The West Australian after Saturday’s wins.

“William will have to decide soon. If he rides the filly he’ll have to lose weight and we have to make other bookings.”

Pike rode Arcadia Queen at 54kg’s last weekend and will now have to drop back to 50kg’s should he choose to ride the three-year old.

“I’m struggling to split them myself, I don’t really know what to do there” Pike told Sky Racing on Monday morning.

“As far as the decision goes on the next race for them, whether they clash, there’ll be a flip of a coin there I think.”

It’s a familiar weight for the 32-year old who won the Kingston Town aboard Perfect Reflection at the 50kg limit in 2016.

“I’ve never had one win a Champion Fillies and WA Guineas,” Peters went on to say regarding Arcadia Queen.

“She’d have to be right up there with them. She’s certainly worth looking after.”

Punters also face an equally tough decision trying to split the two runners. Galaxy Star is the $4.40 favourite with Ladbrokes, however Arcadia Queen doesn’t sit far behind at $4.60.