Two and Three-year-old Summary: Unbeaten King Of Light wins Guineas

Cover image courtesy of Western Racepix

King Of Light is the new king of the west

If punters were expecting a procession in the G2 Western Australian Guineas with King Of Light (Earthlight {Ire}), they would’ve been clutching their tickets in despair with a furlong to go. The previously unbeaten in four starts 3-year-old gelding was caught in a wall of traffic, and jockey William Pike elected to take a tiny gap. It was heart in mouth stuff for a second.

King Of Light burst through the pack and surged home to extend his unbeaten streak to five with an impressive 1.1 length victory over front-runner Mitchell Pateman-trained colt Heeza Phoenix (Grunt {NZ}) with another length to Daniel and Ben Pearce-trained gelding Rock Fest (Awesome Rock).

“When he was rolling, I thought geez we are going to need some luck here. With Pike on top, you always think he’s going to find a way and he did, and the horse is very good,” said Morton.

“He’s got a big motor, and a laidback demeanour, he’s just a beautiful horse to train. Five from five, not many do it. There’s a lot of upside. He had a torrid time leading into the first run and the horse was still good enough but he’s the real deal.

“(G1 Northerly) has been in the back of my mind for a long time. Obviously everything has to go great but I think he’ll be right amongst it.”

Winner of both his starts at two, King Of Light has won three this spring all at black type level. He resumed in the Listed Belgravia Stakes, stepped up to the Listed Fairetha Stakes, and now is a Group 2 winner. His five victories have netted his connections over $580,000.

Sale info: King Of Light was sold by Amelia Park Racing and Breeding for $120,000 to Morton Racing at the 2024 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

Pedigree notes: Second season sire Earthlight (Ire) has two local stakes winners with the other being Listed juvenile winner Petit Artiste. He also has two stakes winners in Europe. Earthlight only shuttled for three seasons, finishing his term in Australia in 2023.

King Of Light is the fourth foal and third winner for Queen’s Parade (NZ) (Dalghar {Fr}) who was a winner over 1400 metres. She has a Blue Point (Ire) yearling filly and a filly foal by Pierata. Queen’s Parade’s half-sister Spirit Bird (NZ) (Savabeel) won the G3 Tibbie Stakes and was second in the G2 Western Australian Guineas in 2015. Spirit Bird is the dam of G1 Queensland Derby-placed Fame (Manhattan Rain).

Maldini leads in a Too Darn Hot quinella in the Colin Alderson Classic

The consistent Maldini (Too Darn Hot {GB}) claimed a deserved breakthrough in the $150,000 Colin Alderson Classic over 1400 metres, following three strong placings at his previous outings.

Racing in the Rosemont Alliance colours, the gelding continued the good run of form for trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, as well as jockey Luke Nolen.

There was a genuine contest for the early lead before Magick Media (Rubick) eventually pressed on to take it up, with Maldini working across from his wide gate to sit outside the pace. Approaching the turn, it was clear Maldini had plenty to offer, but so did Caffettiera (Too Darn Hot {GB}), who was travelling beautifully in the trail for Craig Williams.

Williams angled into the clear, but at the same time Nolen released the brakes on Maldini, who surged away and maintained a strong gallop to win by a length and a half. Caffettiera finished second, delivering a Too Darn Hot (GB) quinella, while Katsumi Orochi (Maurice {Jpn}) produced a sneaky run along the inside to grab third.

Co-trainer Katherine Coleman was delighted and said gelding Maldini had been the making of him.

“I think he will be a prime example of that. Since he's been gelded he really started to knuckle down and put his mind on the job. I think we're going to have a bit of fun with him as a racehorse.”

When asked about Luke Nolen’s ride, she added: “It was a good ride. I thought the map looked a bit ugly pre-race, but you could see when they jumped and nothing wanted to take it up, I thought it was a great ride. He was able to control it and make the race his own.

“He's holding good condition. He's a big, strong boy these days and he's probably got more racing in him this preparation. I think the blinkers going on today was a really positive addition as well.”

Winning jockey Luke Nolen agreed with Coleman and credited the gear change and gelding for the improvement.”

“I think the addition of blinkers helped and a nice race shape on a nice even surface. Those things combined were probably the catalyst to winning today. He hasn't been running bad. Last time was probably a bit wet for him, but he had been running sound and on the better surface today he showed what he had been promising to do the whole time in.”

Sales info: Maldini sold for $500,000 at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale with Rosemont Stud, Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA), Moody Racing Pty Ltd and Spicer Thoroughbreds being the successful purchasers from the draft of Milburn Creek.

Pedigree info: This well-bred gelding is the second foal out of the Snitzel mare Moldova, she was a two-time winner as a juvenile but has made an outstanding start to her broodmare career leaving the very classy filly Captured By Love (Written Tycoon), who has been the winner of the G1 NZ 1000 Guineas among her five Group wins

Deep in the pedigree is a long list of classy stakes winners including Hasabro (NZ) (Savabeel), Hasahalo (NZ) (Savabeel), All Saints’ Eve (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}), All Hallows’ Eve (NZ) (Sacred Falls), La Lagune (Danehill {USA}), Addictive Nature and Savvy Nature.

Moldova since producing Maldini has left a 2-year-old colt by Toronado (Ire) named Nafsika, and a colt foal by Wootton Bassett (GB).

Beatty bolts in at Ascot

It was a one-act affair as the very exciting Beatty (Gingerbread Man) bolted in to claim the $100,000 Crystal Slipper Stakes at Ascot on Saturday, ridden by star jockey William Pike.

The Sean and Jake Casey-trained son of Gingerbread Man had impressed on debut at Ascot earlier this month, and he was just as commanding in this event.

Video: Watch race replay of Beatty, video courtesy of Racing WA

Frosted Warrior (Frosted {USA}) and Capall Gasta (Splintex) set a strong pace, while Rogue Ruler (Universal Ruler) was caught wide and working hard. Meanwhile, favourite Beatty travelled well in the trail, even though at times he looked keen to get on with the job.

Once Pike peeled him out into clear air at about the 200-metre mark, Beatty exploded, racing away to win by just over two and a half lengths. Consignment (Playing God) was excellent on debut to finish second, while Rogue Ruler ran a very brave third after his tough trip.

Co-trainer Sean Casey commented "It was pretty impressive today, he jumped the fly and then he got his engine going, and they either slowed up a bit or he wanted to go a bit quicker and he got his head up a bit a few times.

"But Willy (William Pike) kept him contained the best he could, and on the corner it was a case of he just had to let the fizz out of the bottle, or the cap was coming off.

"It was very impressive."

Sales info: Beatty was bred and now raced by her owner Mr Wally Daly.

Pedigree info: Beatty is the third winner produced by the Murtajill mare Femmette, a winning 2-year-old half sister to the stakes placed trio of Charleton Eddie (Shooting To Win), Detection (Shamardal {USA}), and Veuve de Vega (Lope de Vega {Ire]).

Beatty is a grandson of the Listed WATC Gimcrack Stakes winner Refemme (Surtee), and is also a relation to the G2 West Australian Guineas winner Man Booker (Discorsi).

Femmette this spring produced a Gingerbread Man colt, after missing to Marine One the year before.

De Armas delivers and now will take aim at the Karaka Million

Trainer Johno Benner knows how to win the R. Listed Karaka Million 2YO Classic, and he may have another genuine contender. His unbeaten 2-year-old filly De Armas (NZ) (Ardrossan) was super impressive in Saturday’s NZ$110,000 Listed Challenge Stakes at Pukekohe, extending her record to two wins from as many starts following her debut success at Otaki in late September.

Matthew Cameron, aboard the Te Akau-trained With A Vengeance (Exceed And Excel), rolled straight to the front, while Kelly Myers had De Armas poised outside the leader. The early shock came when favourite Harvey Wallbanger (NZ) (Home Affairs) - Home Affairs’ first winner at his previous start - ended up at the tail of the field despite jumping from an ideal barrier four.

The juveniles fanned wide on straightening, and once De Armas loomed at the 300 metre mark, the race was effectively over. Harvey Wallbanger did a great job charging down the outside to finish second, just under two lengths from the winner, while Spellbound (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) was solid in third.

Benner has long held a high opinion of the filly and made that clear after her latest performance.

“I think she is the best horse I have put a saddle on,” he said. “I’ve said it to a few people, but I’ve tried to put a lid on it.” Benner said.

“I think she is going to be a better three-year-old, but coming here today has given me the option not to have to come back up here again (until Karaka Millions night).

“She is a beautiful cut of a filly and I don’t want to sound silly, but I said over breakfast I think she will win today and I can put her away with 11 weeks to Ellerslie and I won’t need to run her again.”

Sales info: De Armas was purchased by Benner Racing from the Elsdon Park draft at this year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka National Online Yearling Sale.

Pedigree info: De Armas is the fifth foal out of Regal Winks (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}), she was a two-time winner over 1200 metres in New Zealand, and is a half sister to the stakes placed Iffragal (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}).

Other quality members of the family include the stakes winners Extreme Warrior, Adaline (Court Of Jewels {NZ}), Thrillster (Starspangledbanner), Gotta Have Heart (Show A Heart), and Crossyourheart (NZ) (Show A Heart).

In recent years, Regal Winks has left a yearling colt by Waikato Stud’s young sire Banquo, and she was left empty last spring.

Scartoon simply too sharp on the Sunny Coast

In 2-year-old races, tactical speed is always a major advantage - as is having race experience. The Kelly Schweida-trained filly Scartoon, by noted juvenile sire Spirit Of Boom, ticked both boxes and showed it with a strong debut performance at Eagle Farm.

On Saturday, she was simply too sharp. Spearing straight to the front under Cejay Graham, Scartoon controlled the race throughout and kicked strongly to score by just over a length, defeating Phere The Warrego (Exosphere), with Elusive Capital (Capitalist) running on well for third.

Scartoon had been excellent on debut when finishing second to Rarotonga (North Pacific), and she made the required progression to break her maiden in the $85,000 2-Year-Old Handicap, the opening race on the Sunshine Coast card.

Trainer Kelly Schweida was very pleased with the fillies effort.

“My filly is a little light filly, she is a hot little thing. She pinged the barriers today and she was great.

“She is eligible for Magic Millions and hopefully she has now got enough money to get into it.”

Sales info: Scartoon was purchased by Kelly Schweida Racing for $80,000 from the Kenmore Lodge draft at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale.

Pedigree info: Scartoon is out of the unraced Written Tycoon mare Scarlet Tycoon, who in turn is out of Scarlet Vanhara (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy {USA}). She was the winner of the Listed Inglewood Stakes in New Zealand among her two wins, and also placed in the G2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes.

She has left six individual winners at stud, with the best of them being the five-time winner Run Like Hell (Hellbent).

Scarlet Tycoon, since producing Scartoon, has left a yearling filly by Wild Ruler, and foaled a colt by Kobayashi in September.