Not A Single Doubt's Stronger Defeats Sky Field in a Thrilling Centenary Cup

Mark Smith - Sunday January 23

Former champion jockey Douglas Whyte earned his first win at the highest level as a trainer when The Not a Single Doubt entire Stronger edged out the Deep Field gelding Sky Field in a thrilling finish to the Group 1 The Centenary Sprint Cup  (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Stronger would not be denied (image HKJC)

The two baldy-faced chestnuts made their runs together from the back of the field. With Vincent Ho in the saddle, Stronger kept pulling out a little more every time Blake Shinn threatened on Sky Field.

Whyte said that Stronger had come out of the tragic Hong Kong Sprint with significant injuries and was thrilled to see him bounce back.

John Size's old warrior Hot King Prawn (Denman) was a half-length back in third.

Bred by Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd and Planette Thoroughbred, Stronger began life in Australia for Peter and Paul Snowden.

Ironically, he was ridden by Blake Shinn when winning the Group III GCTC Ken Russell Memorial Classic in 2019 and was third behind the runaway winner Cosmic Force in the Group III Pago Pago Stakes.

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The son of Not A Single Doubt was a $1,050,000 purchase by James Harron Bloodstock at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Trainer and jockey celebrate Group 1 success with Stronger

He is the best of three winners from as many starts out of the winning Starcraft mare Star Pupil, a sister to dual Listed stakes-winner Ain'Tnofallenstar and a half-sister to Group II Queensland Guineas winner Bachman (All American) and the 2015 Singapore Horse of The Year Stepitup (Hussonet).

Stronger a $1,050,000 Inglis Easter yearling

A daughter of the 3-time Listed stakes-winner and Group 1 placed Ain't Seen Nothin', Star Pupil has a yearling filly by Pariah and a filly foal by Snitzel. She was covered by Snitzel again last spring.

Stronger becomes the 16th Group 1 winner for Arrowfield Stud's pensioned Not A Single Doubt, whose final crop of yearlings are selling this year.

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Race Result - The Centenary Sprint Cup Gr1 1200m

Sha Tin Track: Good Time: 1:08.78
1
Stronger
- 5h Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Star Pupil (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: D Whyte Rdr: C Y Ho 57
2
0.2
Sky Field
- 5g Deep Field (AUS) x Laravissante (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C Fownes Rdr: B Shinn 57
3
0.7
Hot King Prawn
- 7g Denman (AUS) x De Chorus (AUS) (Unbridled's Song (USA))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: Z Purton 57
Denman
4
1.3
Wellington
- 5g All Too Hard (AUS) x Mihiri (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Richard Gibson Rdr: A Badel 57
5
1.8
Super Wealthy
- 6g Epaulette (AUS) x Well Hidden (USA) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: D A Hayes Rdr: K Teetan 57
6
4.0
Courier Wonder
- 4g Sacred Falls (NZ) x Fabulist (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: J Moreira 57
7
4.5
Master Eight
- 4g Oamaru Force (AUS) x Curzon Dancer (AUS) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: F C Lor Rdr: M Chadwick 57
8
4.8
Computer Patch
- 5g Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Girl Hussler (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: M F Poon 57
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