Doubtland Back to His Best in Danehill Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday September 12

Million-dollar colt Doubtland bounced back from a disappointing run in a high-class renewal of the San Domenico Stakes at Randwick to claim Saturday’s Group II Seppelt Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.

Doubtland slices through in a thriller (Pat Scala/Racing Photos)

Willie Pike was not having the best of days but he was on song here, slicing between runners on the 3yo son of Not a Single Doubt to defeated Amish Boy (Star Witness) by three-quarters of a lengths with Ranting (Zoustar) a short-half-head back in third.

Doubtland won his first two starts including the Group III Kindergarten Stakes at Randwick before his Rosehill failure, which co-trainer Michael Hawkes put down to the race being run at a frantic speed.   

“We went home and scratched our heads because we know he’s good, he’s very good, and they just went so hard the other day,” Hawkes said.

Advertisement

“The plan was to run in Sydney and then come down for the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

“He was never gone, but he’s back and he’s up and about. He was an expensive colt with a hell of a pedigree and he’s the real deal this bloke.”

A three-quarter brother to Group II winner Villa Verde, Doubtland was purchased by Orbis Bloodstock  for $1.1million from the Arrowfield draft at the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Doubtland a $1.1 million Easter Yearling

He is a full brother to Listed BRC Mode Stakes winner Pretty Fast out of the Group III placed Ustinov mare Miss Sharapova, who won up to 2100 metres and was fourth in a New Zealand Oaks.

Doubtland was the most expensive yearling by his sire sold in 2019 and his pedigree also features two Golden Slipper winners in Ha Ha and Rory’s Jester as well as Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed.

Miss Sharapova has a 2yo filly by Shalaa (IRE) and a yearling colt by Snizel and was covered last spring by Dundeel.

Advertisment

Race Result - Danehill Stakes Gr2 1200m

Flemington Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:09.51
1
Doubtland
- 3c Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Miss Sharapova (NZ) (Ustinov (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: W Pike 58.5
2
0.8
Amish Boy
- 3c Star Witness (AUS) x Sheeznodoubt (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: J Mott 57
Star Witness
MM Adelaide Yearling Sale $60,000
Seller: Widden Stud, Widden Valley, NSW (As Agent)
Buyer: Sarah Rutten
3
0.9
Ranting
- 3c Zoustar (AUS) x Vanilla Ice Cream (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: L & T Corstens Rdr: B Melham 57
Zoustar
4
1.0
Prague
- 3c Redoute's Choice (AUS) x Purely Spectacular (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: John Allen 58.5
5
2.8
Personal
- 3f Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Personify (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: T Dabernig & B Hayes Rdr: D Oliver 55
6
3.5
Extra Time
- 3g Shooting To Win (AUS) x Gwynethanne (NZ) (Handsome Ransom (AUS))
Tnr: L Macdonald & A Gluyas Rdr: Craig Williams 58.5
7
4.3
On The Lead
- 3c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Marechal (NZ) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: R & M Freedman Rdr: L Currie 57
8
4.8
Annavisto
- 3f Reliable Man (GB) x Avisto (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Jye McNeil 55
9
5.8
Tydeus
- 3c Written Tycoon (AUS) x Elsedina (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: L Smith Rdr: M Rodd 57
10
6.2
Hard Landing
- 3c All Too Hard (AUS) x Snitzerland (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: T Dabernig & B Hayes Rdr: L Nolen 58.5
11
9.7
Wisdom Of Water
- 3c Headwater (AUS) x Regal Tier (AUS) (Royal Academy (USA))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: M Zahra 58.5
More Reading...
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.