The easing John O’Shea-trained favourite Morton’s Fork came home for the punters in the eleventh hour to enjoy a late lunging win in the Ladbrokes Sandown Guineas 2016.

Morton’s Fork saluted for the favourite backers in the 2016 Sandown Guineas at Ladbrokes Park. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

After getting into nearly odds-on territory in betting at race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au earlier in the week, but jump time on Saturday Morton’s Fork had eased out to $2.35 to win the $250,000 Group 2 Ladbrokes Sandown Guineas (1600m).

All the late money was on the Darren Weir-trained Melbourne Cup Day winning filly Jennifer Lynn, who had her chances but was run down by two top colts to eventually finishing third in the Sandown Guineas trifecta.

Ad Valorem colt Morton’s Fork had a fortnight between runs after his close second behind a half-brother to Criterion, Comin’ Through, in Derby Day’s Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

Jockey Craig Williams had the ride that day on the up-and-comer and continued associations in the Sandown Guineas where Morton’s Fork posted his fourth win at career start number nine.

After the jump the Gordon Richards-trained Benz went around the field to lead the three-year-olds round in the Sandown Guineas, Fomo moving up into second on the outside with Jennifer Lynn getting cover on the rails in third.

Morton’s Form meanwhile was tracking third last, as the previously undefeated Ciaron Maher-trained Ruthven tracked nicely one-one in fourth.

Benz continued to show the way right up to the home turn as Morton’s Fork started to wind-up for his run from the back.

Fomo went up to tackle Benz on the straight and the favourite was the widest runner heading towards the winning post.

With 200m left to travel Jennifer Lynn was really stretching out as Ruthven hit the front.

Morton’s Fork ($2.35) wouldn’t concede defeat however and dived late to beat outsider Ruthven ($17) by a nose, Jennifer Lynn ($3.40) holding for third.

Nothing suggested Morton’s Fork would win as he got right back in the run, but Williams stayed calm and won the race in the final 10 metres on the gutsy young miler.

“He didn’t have any pace in the run…he eased back,” Williams said post-win.

“But he wanted to win.

“I had a willing companion in Morton’s Fork, he was great.

“I really asked him to extend and every time I urged him he just lengthened.

“I’m really glad to be on him.

“He’s a really nice horse and I’m looking forward to seeing what they do with him in the autumn.”

Godolphin stable representative David Charles said the future looked very bright for the Sandown Guineas winner who would target some of the strong Autumn Racing Carnival races for three-year-olds.

“We were expecting him to run well today and he delivered,” he said.

“His form says that he knows where the winning post is and that’s a really great attribute to have in any horse.

“His racing style today proves he might get a little bit longer, but we’re really happy to win a Sandown Guineas with him today.”

Last year’s Sandown Guineas winner Mahuta went on to win the Gold Coast’s $2 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) in the summer as well as the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in February.

To back Morton’s Fork during the 2017 Sydney & Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival at the best odds head to Ladbrokes.com.au!

2016 Sandown Guineas Results & Finishing Order

Sandown Race 6 – 12/11/2016