When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Robbie Griffiths hasn’t quite gone as far as Europe but he’s applying the mantra to his interstate raid this Saturday when stable pin-up Rey Magnerio chases a Group 1 win in Perth’s Winterbottom Stakes.
In the absence of the horse’s regular rider Jye McNeil, who is suspended, Griffiths and connections have booked the ‘Wizard from the West’ Willie Pike to partner Rey Magnerio in the $1.5 million race.
Pike’s record in Perth is unrivaled – he’s ridden more than 3400 winners in Western Australia and his strike rate in G1 races in the state stands at an incredible 21.5%, bettered last week when he added another Railway Stakes to his CV.
Griffiths knew all this. He knows how coveted Pike is by punters and for good reasons. He wanted his man and, thankfully, he got him.
“He’s a great jockey and you’d put him on anywhere in the world but to have him on his home patch is such a big thing,” Griffiths said.
“You watch the Perth races from afar and it’s just Willie Pike, Willie Pike, Willie Pike – he wins everything.”
“We jumped in really early when we knew we were going and requested his services.”
“He didn’t want to commit until he’d had a chance to look at everything and see how the race was unfolding.”
“He came back last week and said that he was very keen to ride him which was pleasing because naturally he would’ve had a few offers.”
“At the end of the day, he’s happy to be riding the horse and we’re very happy to have him on.”
Rey Magnerio is the $8 third favourite in Bet365’s Winterbottom Stakes market, behind emerging local star Joker’s Grin ($2.62) and Bjorn Baker’s two-time winner Overpass ($2.75).
Griffiths knows the son of Magnus will need to produce a new career peak to win but he also knows he’s capable of doing just that.
He won the G2 Caulfield Sprint over 1000m first-up, then was unlucky when third after having to change course several times in the Listed Century Stakes, again over 1000m, last start.
“I think he’s probably a better horse this time around than last time around when he ran third in the Oakleigh Plate,” he said.
“His win first-up was outstanding given the impossible position he was in and he still got up, carrying 6kg more than the runner-up and third horse.”
REY – HE’S A MARVEL!
Rey Magnerio with a brilliant return win in the Caulfield Sprint 🤩@JyeMcNeil pic.twitter.com/vVPUGbVu3I
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 18, 2025
“Everyone could see that things didn’t pan out and he had to turn sideways and do all kinds of things at Flemington.”
“He ran home in 32 flat with the big weight and was brilliant.”
“I think he deserves one (Group 1), you’re always biased towards your own horse but there is a lot of data and form around him to suggest he’s a Group 1 horse.”
“This is a brilliant race – Bjorn’s horse has done it in Perth time and time again, Joker’s Grin looks a star in the making and Benedetta is a proven Group 1 winner too.”
