Not A Single Doubt's Qafila Captures Armanasco Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday February 23

Winner of the Listed Debutant Stakes at Caulfield when making her career debut in October 2017, Shadwell Stud's Not A Single Doubt filly Qafila took a further 12 starts and almost a year and a half to add a second, which came in Saturday's Group II Angus Armanasco Stakes at Caulfield.

The 3yo filly was competitive at the highest level last spring, finishing second to Aristia in the Group II Wakeful Stakes over 2000m at Flemington before closing out the campaign with a fifth in the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m).

Advertisement


Co-trainer David Hayes said only bad luck had stopped her winning several more.

"She's a genuine 2000-metre horse who was unlucky in the Wakeful Stakes on Derby Day at Flemington last year and probably should have won," Hayes told AAP.

"It's great for her to get the Group win today. She's a Listed winner and now a Group winner and she might go for some really good races this autumn like the (Group 1) Vinery in Sydney."

Given plenty of time to settle by Mark Zahra, Qafila, stormed home in the closing stages to defeat the favourite Angelic Angelic Ruler (Universal Prince) by a half-length with a long neck back to Zoubo (Zoustar) in third. (image Grant Courtney)

Purchased by Shadwell Australasia for $450,000 out of the Attunga Stud draft at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Qafila is the second foal of the imported Tapit mare Zighy Bay (USA) who is a three-quarter-sister to Grade III winner and multiple Grade II-placed Sacristy (Pulpit).

Zighy Bay ( USA has an unraced Zosustar colt named The Ladies Man who was a $220,000 Magic Millions purchase for Spicer T'Breds/Darren Weir Racing.

After missing to I Am Invincible in 2016, Zighy Bay (USA) foaled a So You Think filly last spring before being bred back to I Am Invincible.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Trans Tasman Options for La Crique
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are contemplating options on both sides of the Tasman with their multiple Group One winner La Crique following her pleasing trial at Taupo on Monday.
Not a Single Doubt Mare Chasing G1 Glory
Australian raider Winter Bride was the bridesmaid to Julius in the Group I Railway (1200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day and trainers Toby and Trent Edmonds are hoping she can go one better at Trentham on Saturday.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.
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.
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.
Blue Gum Farm Welcome First Foal of the Season
Victorian nursery Blue Gum Farm announced on Monday the arrival of their first foal of the season and there is no mistaking the sire of this gorgeous filly.
Just Two Group Ones Left This Year - Who Can Claim Bragging Rights
Six stallions have sire two Group 1 winners in Australia this season to date but just one of them can separate themselves from the pack in Saturday’s $1 million Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot.
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.
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.