Dan Morton will saddle three runners in the Northerly Stakes at Ascot as he bids to win the race for the first time.
Chasing a first win in one of his home states big Group 1 races, Dan Morton holds a strong hand in the Northerly Stakes.
Morton will saddle three runners in the final Group 1 race of The Pinnacles at Ascot on Saturday – King Of Light, Pure Excess and In Good Order.
To be ridden by William Pike, King Of Light will be out to extend his unbeaten winning sequence to six when he tackles open company for the first time.
Morton concedes it will be a far tougher assignment than the three-year-old company he has been tackling but believes King Of Light is the gelding for the job.
“He’s a mint horse to train, so laid back and gets the job done,” Morton told Racing WA.
“He really raises the bar come race day.
“He’s an exciting horse and he’s got to raise the bar again on Saturday, but he’s doing everything right and is a deserved favourite, but he’s going to have to take another big step.”
King Of Light made it five in a row when he took out the Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m) at Ascot on November 22.
Morton said he had had a few sleepless nights with Saturday’s race approaching.
“So far, so good and there’s only a few more nervous sleeps until Saturday, but he doesn’t give us too many headaches,” Morton said.
“He’s a happy horse.”
Pure Excess broke through for her maiden victory at start number five in the Group 3 Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on November 15.
Unlike her stablemate King Of Light, Morton said Pure Excess did not require the same amount of work to be at her peak.
“She’s a lighter filly and the three-week gap between runs is ideal for her,” Morton said.
“We’ve been able to keep her ticking over and she’s been able to have a few maintenance gallops and with 50 kilos, she can show up.”
The third of Morton’s trio is In Good Order who is coming off a last start ninth in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) on November 22.
That was the gelding’s second-up run as he prepares for the Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) at Ascot on January 1.
“He’s a happy horse and in good order as he’s starting to get towards peak fitness,” Morton said.
