Home

Rogers revels in brilliant day out as champion hoop rides three of his six winners

Headshot of Cameron Newbold
Cameron NewboldAlbany Advertiser
Holly Watson wins on the Roy Rogers-trained Read The Riot Act.
Camera IconHolly Watson wins on the Roy Rogers-trained Read The Riot Act. Credit: Taj Stubber

Champion jockey William Pike notched a winning treble on a memorable day for the Roy Rogers stable in Albany on Sunday afternoon.

Rogers leapt to the lead in the Great Southern Trainers’ Premiership after a career-best six winners from the nine races held at Albany Racing Club as part of the Fitzpatrick Plate meeting.

In a rare trip to Albany, WA’s best jockey Pike rode a winning treble to play a hand in the dominance of the Rogers stable.

Catchya Catchya and Kazkazi both broke their maiden status early in the day, the latter giving Pike the first leg of his treble.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Big Bada Boom showed his potential after powering to a half-length victory in the Inswing Sports Bar Handicap (1600m), making it consecutive wins after winning in maiden company on Boxing Day.

Pike overcame a wide gate with the four-year-old to sit on the speed and have enough left at the finish to prevail over the well-supported Sowar, as the pair cleared out from the rest of the field.

Progressive mare Fangio handed Pike his third winner in the first five races and gave Rogers his fourth success of the afternoon when they won the TABtouch Past The Post Payouts Handicap (1600m).

Pike had the Husson mare stalking the leaders in running and then produced a wonderful finish to win by more than fourth lengths to justify her short $1.50 quote and improve her career record to three wins from eight starts.

Read The Riot Act ($10) edged out Eurasia by a long neck in race six to make it five winners for Rogers and then he claimed the feature race with Echo Effect.

Apprentice Holly Watson brings the Roy Rogers-trained Read The Riot Act back to scale.
Camera IconApprentice Holly Watson brings the Roy Rogers-trained Read The Riot Act back to scale. Credit: Taj Stubber

“I look up to Steve Wolfe, he sets a really high benchmark and it makes you try harder,” Rogers said.

“After training four winners the other day it made me hungrier to train more than four and you only get results from hard work.”

Meanwhile exciting three-year-old gelding God Has Chosen made another strong impression as he came from last to storm home and remain unbeaten in two career starts.

God Has Chosen was very impressive winning again for Jessica Gray.
Camera IconGod Has Chosen was very impressive winning again for Jessica Gray. Credit: Taj Stubber

The Neil Lee-trained galloper made a slashing debut in Albany on Boxing Day and backed that up as apprentice Jessica Gray got him to the outside and he powered over the top of the field to win by ¾ of a length.

Morgs Freeman gave owner-breeder Alan Smith some joy in the final race, saluting for the first time since November 2019 and Esperance visitor Bentley’s Brother was successful in race three.

Trainer Todd Harvey, strapper Sarah Childs, jockey Victoria Corver and owner-breeder Alan Smith with Morgs Freeman.
Camera IconTrainer Todd Harvey, strapper Sarah Childs, jockey Victoria Corver and owner-breeder Alan Smith with Morgs Freeman. Credit: Taj Stubber

Rogers was reprimanded for failing to advise stewards of a change in tactics for Read The Riot Act, and jockey Chris Parnham who rode Catchya Catchya to victory was fined $250 for using his whip on two additional occasions than permitted before the 100m in race one.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails