PILKINGTON STATES HIS CASE FOR FOUR PILLARS SUCCESS

JACK Pilkington wasn’t going to be caught napping!

The Hawkesbury trainer had set Alabama State for the $500,000 Four Pillars Midway at Rosehill Gardens 12 months ago, and was understandably downcast when his then three-year-old was left with trying to overcome barrier 18 in a capacity 20-horse field.

Alabama State had no luck and in the circumstances did a terrific job to finish fourth to Kingston Charm (beaten less than a length).

“It broke his heart and a fortnight later he started favorite and finished fourth again in the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle,” Pilkington said.

Thrice winner Alabama State fronts up again tomorrow in this year’s renewal of the Four Pillars Midway – at Royal Randwick this time – and his trainer was quick off the mark to book country apprentice Siena Grima.

The talented young jockey comes to town on the back of riding five consecutive winners – including the Cup – at the Showcase meeting at Coonabarabran last Sunday.

“I knew Alabama State was going to get a fair bit of weight (61.5kg in fact) and booked Siena four or five weeks back,” Pilkington explained.

“I told her manager that I would possibly have two runners, and that she wouldn’t miss out on a ride if one didn’t start.

“As it turned out my other acceptor Pretty Tavi was low down in the benchmark ratings, and was balloted out.”

Grima’s 3kg city claim will lessen the now four-year-old gelding Alabama State’s weight to 58.5kg; 3kg more than he carried last year.

Alabama State resumed with an excellent second to Meridiana in a Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m) at Rosehill on September 27 before finishing eighth to Modella in a similar grade race over 1400m at that track on October 11.

Pilkington has excused that defeat in looking ahead to the gelding’s prospects on Saturday.

“We had planned to ride him a bit quiet, but he began too well and it brought about his undoing,” he said.

“He lost his near fore plate in running, so there were definite excuses.

“I would have preferred the meeting stayed at Rosehill, so it will be interesting to see if he can see the 1500m out at Randwick.

“Still he is fit and well and on this occasion thankfully has drawn really well in barrier two.

“Siena should be able to give him a lovely run, so he will get his chance.”

Alabama State was the first horse Pilkington purchased (at the 2023 Magic Millions yearling sale at the Gold Coast) to begin his training career, and winning this year’s renewal of the Four Pillars Midway would be a real feather in his cap.

Especially given there were no half million dollar races when he rode over the “sticks” as an amateur.

Though born in London, Pilkington’s family shifted base to Ireland six months later.

He did dream of being a jumps jockey and rode for a time as an amateur.

However, he says his height was a stumbling block and that path was never going to be sustainable.

Pilkington now has built his Hawkesbury team to 12 horses; the most he has had, and says he is flat out looking after them

But it’s a sure bet he will take time out for a deserved celebration if Alabama State can lead tomorrow’s capacity line-up home.

Story John Curtis, October 31, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos