Showmanship after winning at The Valley (Image: Racing Photos)
Willie Pike produced a 'peach' of a ride to break his maiden at The Valley in style aboard the impressive Showmanship on Saturday.
Co-trainer Grant Williams said all options were open for the spring after the victory, which was Showmanship's eighth from nine starts and his first at Stakes level.
"He's a wonderful animal," Williams said after the Bendigo Bank Stakes (1200m). "He's pretty easy to do everything with. He's come over here and settled in really good. He's just an absolute ripper.
"He (Willie) gave him an absolute peach, he just gave him every chance and the horse did the rest."
Pike had not won at The Valley in nine previous rides so was relieved after Showmanship ($2.35 fav) sprinted hard down the outside to beat Felicia ($6.50) by a length-and-a-quarter, with Age Of Chivalry ($3.20) a length further away in third.
"I've had a few rides here over the years, but it's been quite a while since I've been here," he said.
"I think the tricky part about it is if you're not travelling. When you're travelling, like I was then, it seems a lot easier."
Williams said Showmanship was capable of going into better class.
"We'll have a good chat with Bob (Peters, the owner) but he was hoping he'd win today so we could keep his options open. While he's running like this. I don't think we have to worry about stretching him out."
WATCH: Showmanship's win