Champion jockey William Pike will partner exciting three-year-old King Of Light in next Saturday’s Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot.
Pike was forced to choose between the unbeaten Earthlight gelding — who he has ridden to all five of his victories — and last weekend’s Group 1 Railway Stakes winner Watch Me Rock. He said the significant weight advantage for the younger horse proved decisive.
Under the weight-for-age conditions, the Dan Morton-trained King Of Light will carry just 52.5kg in the Northerly, while five-year-old Watch Me Rock, prepared by Grant and Alana Williams, must lump 59kg.
“This really was one of the hardest decisions of my career, but I have gone with the three-year-old King Of Light,” Pike told Racing.com. “I just can’t dismiss the weight factor and the three-year-old record in this race. My past successes have been on the three-year-olds, so I suppose I’m somewhat sticking with what works.
“I’ve chased every form analyst around, trying to split them; everyone was heavily in the favour of King Of Light, but I really think they’re underselling Watch Me Rock. It was not an easy decision at all. I won’t be surprised if it’s the wrong one, nor will I be surprised if it’s the right one.”
Pike has twice claimed the Northerly — both times on three-year-old fillies for owner Bob Peters. He steered Perfect Reflection to victory in 2015 for Grant Williams, then guided superstar Arcadia Queen to success in 2018 for Grant and Alana Williams.
The brilliant Amelia’s Jewel was the most recent three-year-old to win the $1.5 million feature in 2022. Others to capture the race as three-year-olds include Kay Cee (2019), Itsahymn (2013), Playing God (2010), Megatic (2007) and Old Comrade (2000).
If you’re considering a bet on the Northerly Stakes, you can compare Australia’s top bookmakers here: Australian betting sites list.
