Champion Perth jockey William Pike has been replaced aboard Midnight Blue in the Perth Cup after a change in COVID protocols.

A change in West Australia’s COVID protocols will see champion jockey William Pike miss the Perth Cup.

Pike had been booked to ride the Bob Peters-owned Cup favourite Midnight Blue in Saturday’s Group 2 race over 2400m but has been replaced by Patrick Carbery.

The WA racing industry is using the Perth Cup meeting as a test for new COVID protocols that require participants to be double vaccinated.

Pike along with Jason Whiting and Troy Turner have also been replaced on their respective 2022 Perth Cup mounts while there are trainers who will not be able to attend Saturday’s meeting.

In Perth Racing’s updated requirements to attend race meetings in WA, it declared: “We will also trial proof of vaccination requirements to supplement the existing public health requirements.

“All individuals attending the Perth Cup must provide proof of being double-dose vaccinated against COVID-19.

“This includes all patrons, staff, contractors, volunteers and industry participants.”

Pike will ride at Pinjarra on Wednesday and Belmont on Thursday before the Perth Cup meeting.

With 109 winners for the season, Pike leads the Australian Jockeys’ Premiership with 28 more wins than James Mcdonald while he leads Chris Parnham by 24 in the WA Jockeys’ Premiership.