Western Australian trainer Dan Morton is poised for a major assault on the Northerly Stakes, fielding a talented trio as he searches for his first home-state Group 1 triumph.
Morton will send out King Of Light, Pure Excess and In Good Order in the final Group 1 of The Pinnacles series at Ascot this Saturday.
King Of Light, unbeaten in five starts and partnered again by William Pike, steps beyond three-year-old company for the first time.
Despite acknowledging the tougher assignment, Morton is confident the gelding has the qualities to measure up.
“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.”
The gelding completed a five-win streak when victorious in the Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m) on November 22 at Ascot.
Morton admits the looming Group 1 has brought its share of nerves.
“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 enters the race off the back of her maiden win in the Group 3 Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) two weeks earlier.
She does not require the same workload as King Of Light, according to Morton.
“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.”
In Good Order is the stable’s third contender, working through his preparation toward longer targets after finishing ninth in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m).
He is being wound up for the Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) early next year.
“He’s a happy horse and in good order as he’s starting to get towards peak fitness,” Morton said.
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