Perth’s Ascot Racecourse is set for a thrilling conclusion to the Australian Group 1 calendar this Saturday as The Pinnacles carnival rolls on with the 2025 Northerly Stakes.

William Pike has opted to partner the three-year-old favourite King Of Light in Saturday’s 2025 Northerly Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart.

The headline act is the sensational, undefeated three-year-old King Of Light, who is a firm favourite to maintain his flawless record in the $1.5 million feature.

A capacity field of quality middle-distance contenders will tackle the 1800m test—a race steeped in history, having been claimed by turf legends like three-time Cox Plate champion Kingston Town and the race’s current namesake, Northerly.

King Of Light Chasing Double

The market leader sitting top of the latest Northerly Stakes odds is the progressive Daniel Morton-trained Earthlight gelding, King Of Light, currently priced at $2.50 with Ladbrokes.

The youngster has been untouchable across his five career starts, most recently elevating his status by easily winning the Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m) on the same course on November 22.

Crucially, King Of Light drops dramatically in the weights, shifting from 57kg in the Guineas down to just 52kg under the WFA conditions.

Star jockey William Pike retains the ride from barrier eight.

While three-year-old fillies have an outstanding recent record in this race (Amelia’s Jewel was the last three-year-old and the last favourite to salute in 2022, also completing the Guineas-Northerly double), the last three-year-old gelding to win was Ihtsahymn (2013).

Morton’s stable also presents two other chances with lightly raced Exceedance filly Pure Excess ($19) and outside hope In Good Order ($61).

Pure Excess is gunning to uphold the imposing record of three-year-old fillies, who have claimed four wins since 2014.

Despite drawing wide in gate 15, the narrow Group 3 Champion Fillies Stakes winner is set to carry only 50kg with Steven Parnham aboard.

Veteran Western Empire and Railway Winner Lead Rivals

At the opposite end of the age spectrum, the Grant & Alana Williams partnership present two major chances.

Eight-year-old Western Empire ($10) sits prominently in Northerly Stakes betting.

A $3.3 million earner with a strong Ascot track record (7 wins, 4 seconds, 3 thirds from 18 starts), he finished runner-up in this race back in 2021.

He demonstrated he retains his zest when second to stablemate Watch Me Rock in this season’s Railway Stakes.

Watch Me Rock ($9.50) is also lining up, looking to complete the coveted Railway Stakes – Northerly Stakes double—a feat last achieved by Sniper’s Bullet in 2009.

Watch Me Rock is chasing a hat-trick of wins and boasts nine victories from 11 starts at Ascot.

Despite drawing wide in gate 16, he has secured the services of top Sydney rider Nash Rawiller, with Pike opting for the favourite.

The Williams team is historically dominant in this event, with Grant Williams being the most successful Northerly Stakes winning trainer since 2000, with four victories, three of which have been alongside his daughter Alana.

Interstate Contenders and Market Movers

Michael Grantham’s last-start winner, Cosmic Crusader ($5.50), is being kept safe in the market following his big-margin Listed Carbine Club Stakes (1400m) victory.

Though rising sharply in grade and distance, the consistent Maurice gelding drew well in gate nine and presents a genuine threat.

The best-backed female galloper is the Ciaron Maher-trained Vivy Air, whose price has been cut from $12 to $9.50.

Maher, who won last year’s Northerly with Light Infantry Man (2024), is chasing back-to-back victories.

Although mares have a poor record, there has been significant money for this five-year-old Hellbent mare off the back of her $2 million Five Diamonds win over 1800m at Rosehill on November 8.

The other standout interstate raider is the Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained Apulia ($18).

This beautifully bred Fiorente entire, a previous winner up to 2040m, secured a last start win in the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes at Flemington.

Michael Dee faces a challenge from a wide gate 14, but the 1800m distance is expected to suit him at this stage of his preparation.

The 2025 Northerly Stakes will jump as Ascot Race 9 at 5:00pm (AWST) / 8:00pm (AEDT).

2025 Northerly Stakes Field & Barriers

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