By Tom Frary
As a half-brother to the G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park Stakes-winning sire Earthlight (Ire), the Charlie Appleby-trained Shadow Of Light (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}–Winters Moon {Ire}, by New Approach {Ire}) has a lot of baggage to carry but the way he went two-for-two at Newmarket on Friday bodes well for his future. Successfully introduced at Yarmouth last month, the 8-11 favourite was able to travel easily behind the pace throughout the early stages of this six-furlong novice before taking command two out. Pushed out by Harry Bentley to assert, the homebred had two lengths to spare over Wathnan Racing's €550,000 Arqana May Breeze Up purchase Realign (Fr) (Blue Point {Ire}) at the line.
The G1 Fillies' Mile-placed dam Winters Moon (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) is a half-sister to the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud hero Mandaean (GB) (Manduro {Ger}) and the G1 Prix Saint-Alary heroine Wavering (Ire) (Refuse To Bend {Ire}), whose daughter Life In Motion (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) was a triple listed scorer who finished runner-up in the G1 Prix Rothschild. Her yearling is a colt by Too Darn Hot (GB), while her foal is a full-brother to the winner.
3rd-Newmarket, £10,000, Novice, 8-2, 2yo, 6fT, 1:12.82, gd.
SHADOW OF LIGHT (GB) (c, 2, Lope De Vega {Ire}–Winters Moon {Ire} {G1SP-Eng}, by New Approach {Ire}) Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $13,448. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby.
Smart performance 🟦🟦
The Group 1-entered 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰 𝐎𝐟 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 makes light of a penalty to maintain his unbeaten record and provide @HarryBentley_ with a first winner since returning from Hong Kong.@godolphin | @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/HU9zIw4JEJ
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 2, 2024
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