JACK Pilkington was quick off the ground to book Melbourne ace Craig Williams for Alabama State at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
And if Pilkington’s Hawkesbury compatriot Ed O’Rourke gets his wish, the trainers won’t be rivals at the meeting.
Alabama State was second emergency for the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m), and the promising three-year-old is now assured of a start following two withdrawals, whilst O’Rourke has booked Hawkesbury apprentice Zac Wadick for Iron Man in that race.
But his preference is to instead run him in the stronger Benchmark 88 Handicap (1400m), where he is third emergency in a capacity field.
Rather ironically, Iron Man has drawn the rails there but is awkwardly drawn in the Midway, where Tyler Schiller has the mount if he secures a berth.
Pilkington had Williams and fellow leading Melbourne jockey Jamie Kah, along with international star Joao Moreira, on a short list for Alabama State.
“I had a feeling Craig might be coming to Sydney for Saturday’s meeting, as the main Melbourne meeting is at Moonee Valley on Friday night,” Pilkington said on Thursday.
“Once I found out from his manager that he was coming, I booked him last Monday.
“Alabama State got too far back (when ridden by Tyler Schiller) from an outside draw when a close fourth in a 1200m Midway at Rosehill a fortnight ago.
“He has an inside draw this time, and I’m delighted to have Craig riding him.
“Alabama State has trained on strongly since that last run, and I’m sure he will run very well.
“A wet track won’t worry me either.”
O’Rourke reports his talented four-year-old Iron Man is in great order, and ready to also run well in whichever race he contests.
“He easily won a 1000m trial (with Schiller aboard) at Hawkesbury on September 17, and I couldn’t be more pleased with him,” he said.
”My preference is the Benchmark 88 because not only has Iron Man drawn the rails, but he also has only 52.5kg.
“But we need a few scratchings to make the field.
“If he doesn’t get a start there, he will still go to Rosehill and run in the Midway in spite of the poor draw.
“I’ve covered my bases by giving Zac (Wadick) a feel of him in a gallop at home.”
Iron Man was strung up between runners in the straight at his last start when seventh to all-the-way winner Uzziah in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m) at Randwick three weeks ago.
“I’ve been praying for some rain for Iron Man (whose three career victories have been on both soft and heavy ground), and my prayers have been answered,” O’Rourke said.
Story John Curtis, September 26, 2024
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