Pike and Snowden's land the Group 1 J. J. Atkins

By Craig Brennan

Champion jockey William Pike has put his stamp on the Brisbane Winter Carnival claiming a second Group 1 win when he guided Sheeza Belter to victory at Eagle Farm.

Pike won the Queensland Oaks on Gypsy Goddess at Eagle Farm on June 4, giving the jockey his first Group 1 win since Graceful Girl took out the Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot in 2021.

A stance in not wanting to be vaccinated saw Pike leave Perth earlier this year for Sydney where he quickly established himself among the riding ranks.

But Pike has taken it a step further in Brisbane this winter and after scoring on Sheeza Belter in the Group 2 Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on May 28, backed it up with a masterful ride on Saturday.

A former Perth filly, Sheeza Belter ($4.20) scored by a long-neck from Political Debate ($5.50) with Brosnan ($26) a half-head away third.

Sheeza Belter was prepared in Perth by Luke Fernie before part-owner Justin Warwick decided to send the filly to the Sydney stables of Peter and Paul Snowden.

"Justin Warwick called up out of the blue," Paul Snowden said.

"We took another horse he had in Perth and set it up in Victoria and had some good success, so it stemmed from there really.

"He said 'this filly has just won the Magic Millions over here, we think she's pretty good, we want you to take her.'

"Justin is here today, which is great, so full credit to him. We're just the benefactors of that."

Snowden said Sheeza Belter was a tough filly that handles all the work that is thrown at her.

"Everything about her suggested she is going to get to that really good level and here we are today," Snowden said.

"We'll get her out and give her a break, but she's got a really good spring ahead of her now."