Trainer Dan Morton and Amelia Park know what it takes to win a G2 WA Guineas (1600m) and they were both taken with King Of Light when he remained unbeaten in the LR Belgravia Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.

So were bookmakers.  King Of Light firmed into a $2.80 for the 2025 WA Guineas on November 22 after hoisting a wet sail to claim the classic dress-rehearsal at Ascot.  He ran over the top of the favourite Snitzalatte (Snitzel) and the judge was kept busy separating the first ten home who were all within two lengths of the winner.

But the blanket finish didn’t deter the confidence of his connections or winning jockey Willie Pike.  Morton prepared 2015 WA Guineas winner Man Booker (Discorsi) and Amelia Park claimed the classic with homebred filly Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni) in 2022.

“We have a serious 3yo on our hands,” Morton said after welcoming Pike back to scale.  “He’s had a few hiccups behind the scenes since resuming from a spell but fingers-crossed he can continue deep into the summer carnival.

“He’s exciting and I think he’s good enough.  And he will only improve over longer distances than today’s 1200m.”

King Of Light’s (3g Earthlight – Queen’s Parade by Dalghar) is the fourth individual stakes winner by Darley’s former shuttler Earthlight (Shamardal).  He was unbeaten at two winning over 1300m and 1400m at Pinjarra and Belmont before going out for a winter spell.

Morton bought him for $120,000 from the Amelia Park consignment to the 2024 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale on behalf of a syndicate that includes his wife Carol, Nick Botica and Alan Macalister.

He was bred by Impressive Racing’s Darren McAuliffe and Kevin Berry and his dam Queen’s Parade is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Spirit Bird (Savabeel).  She has 2yo colt by Manhattan Rain, a yearling filly by Blue Point (Ire) and a filly foal by Pierata.

Pike has now won five WA Guineas since 2017 following Overshare (Time Thief), Treasured Star (Toronado), Arcadia Queen (Pierro) and Perfect Jewel (Redoute’s Choice).

“His class told today and that was a great win,” Pike reported back in the enclosure.  “It was a high-pressure race but he was in his own space and I was happy to sit three-wide behind Chris Parnham (Zourun Run).  He wasn’t really well-weighted against more seasoned horses and the further the better for him.”