The award for Not A Single Doubt’s most progressive horse this season is rather crowded.
Leading contenders include the Group 1-winning pair Good Project & Single Gaze, and Fell Swoop, so nearly a Group 1 winner in Melbourne & Sydney, before his Group 2 success in Brisbane.
Then there’s the sensational 2YO colt Extreme Choice, who sailed through Listed & Group 3 company before a dominant G1 Blue Diamond Stakes victory in February.
And surely Don’t Doubt Mamma deserves several votes. She began the season with one juvenile win and barely $30,000 prizemoney, and has banked another $360,000 from two Listed wins and a Group 3 victory since September.
But if the award recognises a horse whose potential exceeds even his extraordinary rise this season, then Clearly Innocent gets the nod.
His hometown victory for owner-breeder Bruce Neill in Saturday’s LR Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) at Scone improved his record to 7 wins from his 9 starts this season.
It was a stiff test for the 4YO gelding, caught wide in sixth position as Music Magnate hauled the field along in front and showed no sign of weakening in the straight. He was challenged first by Cradle Me, but Samantha Clenton pressed the button on Clearly Innocent soon afterwards and the result was quickly settled.
Clearly Innocent’s career began with two winning appearances at Scone last August, a sixth and a second in Sydney during December, followed by five consecutive wins, most notably his 2.5 length romp in the $500,000 Country Championship Final on April 2.
Clearly Innocent is the latest star from a family that’s full of them. He descends from the fine Chequers Stud broodmare Mary Poppins, whose daughters left multiple Group 1 winners Veloso, (Our) Westminster and Domino.
Clearly Innocent’s corner of the family has already thrown up Sale of Century (G1 Rosehill Guineas), Affleck (Champion Singapore 2YO & 3YO) and Sydney stakes winner Gimmick. However, he’s the first winner out of city-winning mare No Penalty (Zabeel).
The combination of Not A Single Doubt with Zabeel mares has a predictably good strike rate: 16 winners from 18 named foals, including Group 2 winner Gypsy Diamond, Listed winner Every Faith and three stakes-placed horses, as well as Clearly Innocent.
Clearly Innocent is the 34th stakes winner by Arrowfield Stud sire Not A Single Doubt whose season earnings in Australia now approach $11 million. The son of Redoute’s Choice is also the year’s leading sire of Australian stakes winners with a total of 12, alongside his sire and Street Cry.
CLEARLY INNOCENT