Knights Order wins Brisbane Cup

Knights Order, pictured winning the Winter Cup (Image: Bradley Photographers)

Knights Order made a mess of his rivals at his first try at 3200 metres when he led throughout in Saturday’s $400,000 Brisbane Cup at Eagle Farm.

Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott at Randwick, the northern hemisphere-bred son of dual Cox Plate winner So You Think took over early for rider Tim Clark before booting away on straightening for home for a 4.75-length victory.

Bott told Sky Thoroughbred Central that he felt the rising seven-year-old was “a worthy contender” for the spring after securing his seventh victory from just 17 starts.

“He’s certainly gone to a new level this campaign,” Bott said.

“I think that’s it for us this campaign. We’ll give him a short freshen-up and now we’ll really hone-in to see what we can come up with in the spring because I certainly feel he’s a worthy contender and has made that necessary leap.”

Knights Order started the $3.70 equal favourite and he beat his co-fancy Carif with Sweet Thomas ($9) running on late into third.

After starting his career with nine runs in England, Knights Order first showed promise in Australia when winner of last October’s Tatt’s Cup (2400m) at Randwick – a course he again won over just a week ago in the Winter Cup.