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.
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.
“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.
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.
