Daniel Morton & Shaun O’Donnell have combined with In Good Order ($7.50) to claim victory in the Group 2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes (2100m) at Ascot on Saturday afternoon, being rewarded for an ultra-consistent campaign.
The son of American Pharoah was lining up for his ninth run of the preparation on Saturday and having his first crack at Group-level company after finding the minor money in the Listed G.A Towton Stakes (2200m) on December 7.
He got the perfect run in transit this time around as O’Donnell found the one-one throughout as the well-supported favourite with horse bookmakers, Socks Nation ($2.50), was sent forward to sit outside the leader, leaving the rank outsider Marocchino ($31.00) to lead them out at a moderate tempo.
Numerian ($2.70) got every chance under Clint Johnston-Porter and looked to be doing best in the concluding stages before a wall of horse mounted a late challenge.
In Good Order went straight on by in the final furlong, with Let’s Galahvant ($10.00) reeling in the margin, missing by a half-had as In Good Order fell in to secure the $300,000 prize.
Ted Van Heemst Stakes Race Replay – In Good Order
Morton was trackside to comment post-race.
“It was some ride and honestly, he’s the best pick-up rider in the business,” Morton said.
“He’s been doing a lot of work on this horse behind the scenes.
“Chris Parnham has been riding him obviously, but Shaun has such beautiful hands.
“He was the go-to once Chris (Parnham) got rubbed out.
“I was singing his praises past the post the first time.
“It was right where we needed to be.”
In Good Order is now an $8 chance withNeds for the Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) at Ascot on New Year’s Day.
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