Not A Single Doubt warmed up for Karuta Queen’s return to racing with an international double on Saturday.
The Arrowfield Stud resident opened the Eagle Farm card with revitalized filly Doubtfilly in the Racing Retro Hcp (1000m). And he upped the ante later in the day when Dance For Gold scored a stunning victory on debut in Hong Kong.
Doubtfilly (2f Not A Single Doubt – Aussie Enchantee by Alhaarth) had won by six lengths on debut in Townsville but was unplaced at her next two starts in the LR Calaway Gal Stakes at Eagle Farm and Magic Millions Tickets Hcp on the Gold Coast.
“I decided to add blinkers after the Gold Coast and that made the difference,” Mackay based trainer Stuart Kendrick said. “She travelled nicely and won well but will probably spell now.”
Doubtfilly is raced by Darby Bloodstock and was a $17,500 buy at the 2011 Gold Coast Magic Millions. Her dam Aussie Enchantee is a daughter of G2 Longchamp Prix de l’Opera winner Andromaque (Woodman).
Not A Single Doubt opened up on another front when Dance For Gold burst through a gap to win the Mut Wah Hcp (1000m) down the straight at Sha Tin. The first-timer impressed everyone including trainer Casper Fownes.
“He had only trialled once and wasn’t as well prepped as some of the others,” Fownes claimed. “If he had run fourth or fifth, I would have been pleased, knowing that there was something to build on.
“To win like that gives me a lot of confidence. He really picked up late and was very strong on the line. He’s a gentleman to train and I like him.”
Dance For Gold (3g Not A Single Doubt – Angel Lorraine by Last Tycoon) was a $75,000 buy for Aquanita trainer Robert Smerdon at the 2010 Inglis Classic yearling sale. He changed hands again after a Cranbourne trial in May 2011 and is now raced by popular Hong Kong based owner James Filmer-Wilson.
Dance For Gold is the sixth winner for Angel Lorraine who won four races up to 1635m in Melbourne and Brisbane. The mare died in November 2010, two months after foaling a Frisco View filly.
Not A Single Doubt (Redoute’s Choice) has sired 116 winners at a 61% strike-rate since retiring to stud in 2005. He is the most popular incumbent at Arrowfield after covering 180 mares in 2011.
Meanwhile, Karuta Queen will start her autumn campaign in the Farm Flying (1000m) at Warwick Farm on February 4. Trainer Neville Layt was considering a first-up tilt at the G1 Oakleigh Plate but will instead stay in NSW.
Karuta Queen tops the Not A Single Doubt honour roll with $1.73 million in earnings.
