Punters have rallied to “weights horse” Western Empire in Saturday’s $1.5 million Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot and the star veteran looks a top ride for visiting Melbourne jockey Billy Egan.

Western Empire was backed from $10.00 to $8.50 on Thursday morning while champion WA hoop William Pike’s brilliant mount King Of Light retained a firm grip on short-priced favouritism.

Weight-for-age conditions in the Northerly suit $3.3 million earner Western Empire, who will meet Watch Me Rock on 4kg better terms after finishing a close second behind him in last Saturday week’s Railway Stakes (1600m).

The Grant and Alana Williams-trained Western Empire carried 58kg in the Railway, a Group 1 handicap, and his stablemate Watch Me Rock had 54kg. They are on 59kg in the Northerly.

Powerful chestnut King Of Light tightened from $2.45 to $2.40 on Thursday morning, after a glowing report by his trainer Dan Morton.

Morton said he could not be happier with the three-year-old, who is unbeaten in five starts and impressively won last Saturday week’s $500,000 WA Guineas (1600m) with Pike in the saddle.

“King Of Light is doing everything right and he’s a happy horse,” Morton told Racing WA at trackwork. “He’s nice to train and never gives us any headaches.”

Pike backed up Morton’s high opinion on King Of Light when he decided to stay aboard the gelding in Saturday’s big race. The Wizard also had an option to ride Watch Me Rock, on whom he won the $1.5 million Railway Stakes.

Sydney raider Vivy Air, to be ridden by Victorian jockey Ethan Brown, is also attracting support and she was backed from $9.50 to $7.50 in Northerly betting on Thursday morning. The Ciaron Maher-trained mare was a last-start $2 million Five Diamonds (1800m) winner at Rosehill on November 8.