A Group II winner in New Zealand at two and a Listed Hareeba Stakes winner at four, the 6-year-old Not A Single Doubt gelding Not An Option add the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes (1200m) to the CV at Flemington on New Year's Day.
Ridden by Michael Dee for Michael Moroney, the Cambridge Stud colourbearer defeated a stubborn Who Dares (Deep Field) by a short-head with Struck By (Barbados) two and three-quarter lengths back in third.
A $240,000 purchase for Pike Racing for the son of Not A Single Doubt from the Curraghmore draft at Karaka in 2019, Not An Option advances his record to seven wins, one second, and three thirds from 33 starts with earnings of $638,296
"My horse had a real will to win," Dee said.
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t;At the top of the straight, I could see Jye coming quite quickly (on Who Dares), and I was a bit slow to come across and shut the gate.
"I rode this horse at Caulfield, and he didn't have a strong turn of foot. Today, and other times that he has won here, he has been able to find top gear at the top of the straight and was able to go through his gears”.
Bred by Aquis Farm, Not An Option is the best of two winners from sd many to race out of the top-class mare Chintz.
The daughter of Savabeel won the Group II ARC Rich Hill Mile and was runner-up in the Group 1 Easter Hcp and third in the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes.
Cunningham Thoroughbreds/Clarke Bloodstock bought Chintz for $235,000 at the 2021 Inglis September (Early) Online Sale.
A half-sister to Group 1 winning mare Chenille and a 7/8 sister to dual Group 1 winner Mo'unga, Chintz has a King's Legacy filly in the Ridgmont draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale (Lot 526)
Chintz had an Extreme Choice colt on November 23 and was covered by him again.
The family is well-represented at the sales this year.
