William Pike rates Mystery Island’s chances in Perth Cup

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After the disappointment and sadness of the being deemed a no-race following the fall of Chili Is Hot and came a story of hope.

With the Group 2 feature set to be re-run next Saturday, – who won the last race of the day, the Perth Handicap – is set to take his place in the revamped field.

The six-year-old was originally an emergency.

Willie Pike – who was aboard Inspired for in the Cup – said he had no doubt Mystery Island would be competitive in the $500,000 stayers' race over 2400m.

“He'll see it out no worries at all. For the connections and everyone involved I hope he does gain a run because he deserves his spot in the field in front of some of the others, in my opinion,” he told .

“He's been very consistent. The plan was to sit in the first four and out-stay them.

“He missed the kick and had to go to Plan B. He possibly could've learned something there.”

But Pike will not ride in the re-scheduled Perth Cup.

Instead he will feature in Day on the Gold Coast.

“Call it what you want to call it. For me, it definitely adds a bit of a curveball because I'm booked to be over in ,” he said.

“So for jockeys, trainers and everyone it throws a spanner in the works.”

Foreman for winning trainer , Donna Riordan, said she would be over the moon if Mystery Island got a start in the Perth Cup.

The stayer was specifically set for that event, before dominating Sunday's Benchmark 66, going back in grade and saluting by a length.

“It would be an absolute dream if he could get a start in the Perth Cup next week,” she said.

Pike's triumph on the last race on the card capped a brilliant day where he rode a winning treble, earlier guiding Shaddow Fear and to victories in race one and six.

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