Grounds for optimism as Shadow Of Light tackles G2 Park Stakes

Shadow Of Light races outside of G1 company for the first time in more than a year in the G2 Park Stakes at Doncaster, UK, on Saturday, 13 September.

The Lope de Vega colt finished a three-quarter length second on his only previous G2 appearance in last August’s Gimcrack Stakes before going on to become the second horse in 42 years to complete the Middle Park Stakes/Darley Dewhurst Stakes double.

Shadow Of Light’s Newmarket G1 wins saw him crowned European Champion Two-Year-Old and he ran a fine race to take third behind Ruling Court and Field Of Gold on his three-year-old return in the G1 2,000 Guineas.

Quick conditions compromised Shadow Of Light in the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, in which he finished fifth, but the three-parts brother to Earthlight ran a better race on soft going when finishing a close fourth in Deauville’s G1 Prix Jean Prat in July.

He was an intended runner in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest back at Deauville in August but missed the race due to the ground.

Charlie Appleby said: “Shadow Of Light goes into this in great order. I expect the ground to be a key factor again as he will appreciate any cut underneath. Seven furlongs is a perfect trip and, if he runs to his best form, he is the one they all have to beat. Hopefully, this can be a springboard onto something like the Prix de la Foret.”