G2 Goal for Not a Single Doubt Colt

Media Release - Tuesday November 26

Cambridge trainer Tony Pike has a few races in consideration for smart two-year-old Not An Option.

Not an Option - Race ImagesThe winner of his only raceday start at Counties, Not An Option won a trial at Cambridge on Tuesday over 800m and looks one of the early lamplighters amongst the juvenile division.  

“I was really happy with his trial,” Pike said.

“Obviously, the first time he trialled back in August he was a bit fired up on the speed but won. Then he lead on the fence on raceday and didn’t learn a lot so I thought we would ride him in behind the pace on Tuesday.

“He relaxed pretty nicely, almost too well.

“He has become a very relaxed colt, which is good to see going forward.

“He showed a really good turn of foot when he did get clear to win quite comfortably. I was impressed with him.”

The Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham on December 7 is a possible target for the colt by Not A Single Doubt out of Group Two-winning mare Chintz, whom Pike also trained.

“We are going to see how he pulls up. That’s in 10 days’ time which is going to come up quick enough but it looks like a nice race for him at Wellington.

“His short term goal will be the Eclipse Stakes (Gr.2, 1200m) on New Year’s Day into the Karaka Million (RL, 1200m). It is probably just finding a link run that is best suitable in between.”

Meanwhile, Group Two-placed four-year-old Intrigue will contest Saturday’s Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie, where she will carry 53kgs.

“She’ll run on Saturday and gets in on a light weight and it’s a small field. She has come up really well this preparation but she might just prefer getting to 2000m. We’ve kept her nice and fresh for this race and based on her trackwork she should run a pretty bold race on Saturday.

“Mark (Wyborn, part-owner) is very keen on racing her in Australia so I said we want to get some prizemoney in the bank and get her rating up before we look at heading that way.

“Depending on what she does at her next couple of starts, I will be sitting down with Mark to discuss whether she stays here in New Zealand or whether we take her to Australia for a couple of Country Cups or something along those lines.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
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.
Not A Single Doubts Gotta Kiss Another Proven Winner
Aided by a rails hugging ride by Stephanie Thornton, Proven Thoroughbreds two-year-old filly Gotta Kiss fought off a stubborn Lady Banff in Saturday’s $125,000 Basil Nolan Junior Two-Year-Old (1000m) at Eagle Farm and booked her ticket to the Magic Millions 2yo Classic.
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.
Defeat Not an Option
Cambridge visitor Not An Option showed he will be a force to be reckoned with in the juvenile features this season when he produced a powerful finishing burst to take out the Group II Platinum Homes Taranaki Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham.
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.
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.
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.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
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.
More Stakes Success for Go Bloodstock’s Thalassophile
Sir Owen Glenn and his Go Bloodstock has had some great results this year with his fillies that include Golden Slipper winner Lady of Camelot, but it was the turn of one of the older girls on Saturday with five year-old Not a Single Doubt mare Thalassophile returning to top form with a classy win in the $160,000 Listed  Silk Stocking (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast.