King Of Light races into 2025 WA Guineas contention
Trainer Dan Morton has unearthed a potential star in King Of Light, who made a sparkling debut in the Tabtouch Place A Same Race Multi Plate (1300m) at Pinjarra on Saturday, winning with authority.
The promising youngster signaled his arrival with a swooping finish, positioning himself as one to watch for the upcoming Ascot carnival, with Morton keen to guide him toward more ambitious targets.
The son of Earthlight, who is being aimed at the WA Guineas (1600m), displayed an electric turn of foot from the back of the field to overhaul race favourite Aberdeen Flyer.
Jockey William Pike kept King Of Light out of trouble in the early stages before unleashing him late, where he coasted to a half-length win without being tested.
While it’s still early days, Morton was delighted with the performance and sees bright signs ahead.
“Very pleasing and he’s been a nice horse all the way through for us,” Morton said on Tabradio.
“To get the job done first up over 1300m was really good.
“He didn’t have the tools early to know what he was supposed to be doing, but probably fortunate to lob following the favourite.
“I was hopeful he would find plenty, but I fought the Sean Casy horse (Aberdeen Flyer) would trump us with race experience.
“There was a lot to like about our guy.”
Interestingly, Morton is considering a break for King Of Light despite the strong debut, preferring to bring him back later with the WA Guineas in mind.
“Normally speaking I do like to give them a couple to cement their prep,” Morton said.
“Horses like him you would naturally aim up at a Guineas, we’ll work backwards from that.”
Although the race is months away, Morton believes King Of Light has what it takes to become a genuine player in the spring features.
“You aim there.” Morton said.
“They obviously have to keep on improving, come back, run a mile out strong and all the rest of it.
“I don’t see any reason why he’s not the type of horse that will try to.”
If you're looking to place a bet on the WA Guineas, browse the best bookmakers and odds on Australia’s top betting sites.
More Racing News
Melbourne Cup hopes boosted for Ciaron Maher runners after handicapping
Juja Kibo has taken a significant step towards a Melbourne Cup start, receiving a revised handicap following his impressive victory in The Metropolitan last Saturday.The chief handicapper for Racing Victoria, David Hegan, assigned the Ciaron Maher-trained stayer a 2kg penalty for the $10 million event, acknowledging his dominant 1-3/4-length win...
Crescent King set for Brian Crowley Stakes after Warwick Farm triumph
While Crescent King has not yet been tested in Saturday races, a commanding win at Warwick Farm on Monday could well have earned him a start in Stakes company.The Written Tycoon colt, a three-year-old, now boasts two wins from as many starts this preparation after he reeled in the speedy...
Attrition set for another tilt at the Hill Stakes
Mitch Freedman's primary focus at Flemington last Saturday was on the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes, which he claimed with Skybird, but he was also an interested observer of the Turnbull Stakes.The Ballarat trainer expressed his satisfaction at seeing Cosmic Crusader achieve a dominant 1-3/4-length victory in the 2000-metre Group 1...
Welcometotheshow primed for Toorak Handicap tilt
Trainer Tyler Donaldson-Aitken is preparing to mark a significant career milestone, readying his first Group 1 contender, Welcometotheshow.The race targeted for Welcometotheshow is the highly anticipated Toorak Handicap, a 1600-metre event at Caulfield this Saturday. This comes after the gelding secured his inaugural Stakes race victory at Flemington on September...
Flying For Fun targets Schillaci Stakes after impressive return
Bryce Heys has opted to keep Flying For Fun at shorter distances for now, with the mare's next start set to be in Melbourne for the Schillaci Stakes.The dual stakes winner is expected to be nominated for the 1100m sprint at Caulfield on Saturday. This comes after a promising return...
Close call as Skybird narrowly wins Gilgai Stakes
Depending on when you are reading this, trainer Mitchell Freedman and favourite backers may only just have exhaled as a unique characteristic nearly brought Skybird undone in the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington.Sent out the $2.90 market elect, Skybird looked set for an easy victory as jockey Ben Melham eased the...
Cosmic Crusader's Turnbull Stakes victory points to Cox Plate tilt
Pakenham trainer Andrea Leek has celebrated her most substantial success to date as Cosmic Crusader triumphed in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. Leek is now aiming for an even greater prize, hoping to return to headquarters for Australia's premier weight-for-age race, the Cox Plate, with the Perth-owned galloper.The prestigious Cox...
Premiere Stakes victory for Tempted seals Everest start
Tempted has made a powerful statement with her commanding win in the Premiere Stakes at Randwick, effectively securing her owner Godolphin's slot in The Everest and signalling her readiness to challenge Hong Kong's elite sprinter Ka Ying Rising.The official confirmation is awaited, but Tempted is expected to represent the global...
Mr Monaco books Melbourne Cup ticket with Flemington win
The Ciaron Maher stable has successfully gained another 'Golden Ticket' to the Melbourne Cup thanks to Mr Monaco's triumph at Flemington.Mr Monaco triumphed in the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday, thereby securing a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) scheduled for November 3.Previously, Shockletz...
Sam Clipperton makes triumphant return with Group 2 Metropolitan win on Juja Kibo
Jockey Sam Clipperton marked his most significant success since his return from retirement by guiding Juja Kibo to victory in the Randwick staying feature, The Metropolitan, a race now designated as Group 2.Clipperton had stepped away from the saddle just over a year after his 2023 Everest triumph on Think...