IN Racing
Bigger things tipped for Crimson Light
Trainer Michael Kent is already looking toward an autumn campaign with New Zealand-bred mare Crimson Light following her first-up win over a mile at Sandown on Wednesday.
LOVERACING.NZ News Desk | June 29, 2023
Photo: Scott Barbour (Racing Photos)

Trainer Michael Kent is already looking toward an autumn campaign with New Zealand-bred mare Crimson Light following her first-up win over a mile at Sandown on Wednesday.

The daughter of Redwood was resuming from a spell and relished the wet ground to score a three-quarter length victory, her second in seven career starts.

“I had her ready to go in a seven-furlong (1400m) race here a couple of weeks ago, but she drew in,” Kent said.

“I said to the owners she can win first-up, so they were happy to wait for the mile (1600m) today.

“She had handled the wet before and I said you’ll only get one good fresh run out of her, so that was the plan and it worked.”

Kent said Crimson Light had always shown him ability on the track, although he admitted his programming with the mare had not been ideal.

“We’ve always liked her, but we haven’t done the right thing by her having run her at Moonee Valley a number of times,” he said.

“She gets back and runs on and always runs really nice races, but I do think she is a mare with a future.

“I think she can win a race or two over the winter and then put her away for the autumn, which would be good for her.”

Kent said races like the Gr.3 Epona Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill and the Listed Centaurea Stakes (2000m) at Morphettville could be suitable autumn targets for Crimson Light.

Crimson Light was purchased out of Westbury Stud’s 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale draft by bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo for $50,000.

Crimson Light Redwood Sandown