Fittingly, it would be star hoop William Pike who would claim the accolades on the final day at Ascot this season, with a brilliant riding treble, and in doing so – surpassed 50 wins in the jockey premiership.

Pike opened his account with a gutsy win in the Amelia Park Beef HCP 1100m aboard the Trade Fair filly – Swap Ya ($3.20). In a battle of the top weights, Swap Ya proved too strong over the final stages, ending Baleen In Me’s ($3.00 fav) unbeaten run when finishing the better by ¾ length.

The second leg of Pike’s treble was a beauty. Piloting raging favourite Red Mercedes ($3.40 fav) in the Diggers Cup 1800m, Pike charged the Key Business 5YO home from eighth on the turn for a crushing ¾ length victory. It was win number three from its last four starts for the Vernon Brockman trained gelding, and it’s first beyond the mile.

To round off the trifecta, Pike was rewarded for a patient ride aboard the Luciano trained Saxon 4YO – My Bonny Lad ($8.00) in the Amelia Park Trophy 1400m. Improving from last at the 800m, Pike nursed his mount around the final bend, before surging the gelding down the middle of the track for a breathtaking long head salute.

In other results, Hans Up ($2.60 equ fav) continued its winning run when clinging on to win the Southern Habitat Wholesale Nursery HCP 1200m. Weekend Shadow ($21.00) surprised most when capitalising on a late split to dive at the line for a short head bob in the Amelia Park Wines HCP 1200m. Purple Tiger ($4.20 fav) put a smile on the punters dials, when careering to a ¾ length victory in the Amelia Park Lamb HCP 1800m, while Black Moment ($8.00) scored a narrow half head win in the final race at Ascot for the season – the Grand Farm (China) HCP 2100m.

The Hoops / Trainers

Premiership silk William Pike secured a treble, while the trainers shared the spoils.

The Tipsters

Dec declared Swap Ya ($3.20) in his best, while Blackie got a return with his best of the day Hans Up ($2.60 equ fav) and a painfully close half head third for his “maddie” Alyssa ($12.00/$2.20).

Backing up from his stellar multiple quaddie tips from last week, eastern states expert Shane Mitchell continued to find the winners touting Guelph ($2.50 fav) and All Too Hard ($2.80 fav) at Randwick, and Delago Bolt ($14.00) at Doomben.

The Black Book

Big Attitude’s first up run was sensational in the Amelia Park Trophy 1400m, flying home from last to miss by a ½ length – it goes well second up this horse – one to keep safe.

Chris Blackwell