King Of Light Cements Favouritism with Stunning Fairetha Stakes Victory
In a performance that solidified his burgeoning reputation, the brilliant three-year-old King Of Light maintained his perfect racing record with a determined victory in the Listed $125,000 Fairetha Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday. The win saw his odds shorten dramatically for two of Western Australia's most anticipated upcoming races.
A Nerve-Wracking Race and a Powerful Finish
Starting from barrier one as the hot $1.70 favourite, jockey William Pike had to urge the gelding initially to hold a midfield position. Meanwhile, their main rival, the Mitchell Pateman-trained Heeza Phoenix ($5) under jockey Lucy Fiore, sprinted to an early lead. Setting a solid tempo, Heeza Phoenix stretched the field and, with just 400 metres remaining, King Of Light found himself trapped on the rail and a worrying six lengths off the leader.
The situation looked dire until a gap finally appeared with 250m to go. Pike seized the opportunity, but Heeza Phoenix still held a commanding three-length advantage and seemed to be travelling strongly. Then, in a breathtaking display of acceleration, King Of Light shifted into overdrive. The Dan Morton-trained galloper launched a furious pursuit down the final furlong, finally mowing down the brave leader in the shadow of the post to win by a long neck.
Rock Fest ($12) followed the winner's path and finished powerfully to be beaten by just a length, rounding out a thrilling finish for spectators.
Dreams of Group 1 Glory for the 'Cool Dude' Colt
The authority of the victory has trainer Dan Morton, a seasoned professional, dreaming big. King Of Light is now the outright $3 favourite for the Group 1 $1.5 million Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot on December 6. Morton didn't hold back in his praise, labelling the horse the best three-year-old he has ever trained.
"He’s as exciting a horse I think I’ve had this early in his career," Morton stated. He also highlighted the gelding's remarkably relaxed nature, which bodes well for the challenges ahead. "He actually lives with the grandkids and they ride around on their bikes, so he’s all used to everything."
Jockey William Pike admitted to some pre-race nerves given the day's track patterns but was full of praise for his mount's ability to overcome adversity. "The good horses seem to find a way," Pike remarked. He compared the horse's temperament to a surfer, calling him a "cool dude" who is only just starting to hit his straps.
Looking forward, King Of Light has been installed as the $2 favourite for the 1600m WA Guineas in a fortnight, ahead of Rock Fest ($5) and Heeza Phoenix ($8). Pike, who is already reducing his weight for the light allocation in the Northerly Stakes, declared he wouldn't swap his partner for any other horse, setting the stage for an electrifying showdown.
