King Of The North (NZ) (Jon Snow) went from zero to hero in the space of two minutes at Ellerslie on Saturday, surprising even his trainers with a massive performance to win the Join TAB Racing Club 2100.
An aptly named son of Jon Snow, King Of The North has made a strong early impression as a stayer and was sent out favourite in Saturday’s Rating 75 contest – but he looked more like a pauper than a king after missing the start by five lengths.
But, in-form apprentice jockey Triston Moodley maintained his composure, allowing the gelding to find his feet at the tail of the field as Special Swey took up the role of pacemaker. Kirrawee joined the leader in front but both looked to be under pressure turning for home, leaving all to play for as the field straightened.
Meanwhile, Moodley had quietly started to make up ground on King Of The North and he suddenly looked a major threat at the 200m. The gelding put in big strides to power over the top of Procella and win by 1 ½ lengths, still pulling after the line.
Co-trainer Lance O’Sullivan was the first to admit he believed the gelding’s hopes were dashed with such a sedate beginning.
“When he went past us with a round to go, I switched to watch the other horse (stablemate, Desert Mystic) to be honest,” he said. “I thought he was no chance from there, that was what I was thinking.
“He tagged on the back of them and got into a good rhythm, but he just kept steadily improving around them and it was a very good performance.”
Bred by Tim Harrison, King Of The North was a $60,000 purchase by Wexford Stables out of Te Runga Stud’s draft at the 2022 National Yearling Sales at Karaka. The four-year-old is out of a two-win mare Higher Authority, who is a half-sister to Australian stakes winner Alinga.
O’Sullivan and his training partner Andrew Scott identified the gelding as a staying prospect from that stage and are happy to continue allowing him the time he needs to mature.
“We’ve always really liked this horse, right from when Team Wexford purchased him at the yearling sales,” O’Sullivan said.
“We thought he’s going to make a stayer long-term and he’s only four, he’ll go to the paddock now but he’s going to make a proper racehorse when he’s six.
“He’s just been very slow to learn and he’s got a long way to go, but one thing we know is he can stay and he’s got a lot of raw ability.
“He’s trying to do things right, he’s a very kind horse on the ground and is just taking a long time to come to it in his racing. We certainly believe we’re on the right track with him.”
With three wins and over $100,000 in stakes to his name, King Of The North is the best performer on home soil for Group One winner Jon Snow. Across the Tasman, No Fuss is flying the flag for the Clearview Park Stud sire, having won his last four races on the bounce for Tony and Calvin McEvoy.