King’s Northerly shot on track

Unbeaten colt King Of Light is ready to spearhead Dan Morton’s shot at a first Northerly Stakes win.

Morton will saddle three runners in Saturday’s Northerly Stakes, including the King Of Light who has won the Belgravia, Fairetha, and WA Guineas already this campaign. His winning run has earned King Of Light favouritism for what Morton describes as his “grand final.”

“King Of Lights has done nothing wrong,” Morton told Racing WA. “He’s a mint horse to train, just so laid back, and he gets the job done. He really raises the bar himself come race day and he’s an exciting horse.”

Morton acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting the colt must continue to improve up against older horses for the first time.

“He’s a deserved favourite, but he’s still going to have to take another big step,” he said. “The Northerly is his main aim this Saturday.

“He’s a pretty laid‑back customer, so you’ve got to make sure he’s doing his work properly. He’s had enough runs under his belt and will be going in pretty right Saturday.”

Morton also has In Good Order and Pure Excess as he search for his eighth Group 1 win and first since 2021.