Failure Not an Option

Media Release - Tuesday September 24

Tony Pike went to Karaka in January in search of his next potential star and he may just have found him.

Not an Option - Race ImagesPromising juvenile Not An Option is part of a colts syndicate Pike formed prior to the sale and the son of Not A Single doubt has quickly repaid his trainer's faith, winning on debut at Counties on Sunday.

"It was a good performance," Pike said. "We really wanted to barrier trial him again but with Avondale being an extremely heavy track and obviously the long trek up to Ruakaka wasn't ideal.

"We targeted this race a few weeks ago and just wanted to roll the dice and try and get some prizemoney in the bin which qualifies him for the Karaka Million."

While pleased with the win, Pike said the colt still has a bit to learn.

"He did a lot wrong but he'll improve from that," he said. "Leith's (Innes, jockey) got a pretty high opinion of the horse, he's a nice actioned horse. He's got a bit of class and natural ability got him through on Sunday.

"The early ability he's shown and just the type he is, he's not a small horse by any means for a two-year-old, he's a lovely big scopey horse with plenty of strength. I think he's only going to get better from here so I'd be surprised if he's not one of our better two-year-olds."

A $240,000 purchase out of Curraghmore's draft, Not An Option will now head for a brief break before being prepared for the rich Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) in January.

"It's great to have won on Saturday," Pike said. "Now we're not chasing our tail trying to get some money in the bank.

"He'll head out for three weeks in the paddock and then we'll map out a program heading forward to the Karaka Million and probably target the Eclipse Stakes (G.2, 1200m) on the way through."

Pike came up with the colts syndicate initiative prior to New Zealand Bloodstock's yearling sales in January and he is pleased with what his six purchases are showing to date.

Advertisement

"It's something I came up with going into last year's Karaka Sales," Pike said. "It's a lot easier going there with some money behind you to buy the horses that you want.

"Guy Mulcaster and Bruce Sherwin helped me with the selection of the colts and we were pretty lucky to get the six that we did.

"We have a great bunch of owners behind us and hopefully this can be a successful syndicate and roll on each year from here on in.

"I'm really happy with what we've got so far. It's great to get a winner on the board so early for the syndicate and there's plenty of horses in behind that are looking pretty promising as well."

Meanwhile, Pike was pleased with The Bostonian's jump out at Flemington on Friday morning ahead of his first-up assignment in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on Friday.

"He's trialled up super and has travelled really well," Pike said. "Damian (Lane, jockey) was really impressed, he hadn't sat on him before.

"He was pretty sharp, Brave Song was in the heat and he's a pretty established sprinter over there in Melbourne.

"I couldn't be happier heading into Friday night's race, the barrier draw is going to be crucial as it's going to be a pretty strong field. The horse loves his trips away and I'm sure he'll be competitive." – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Ssangyong 2yo 800m

Pukekohe Park Track: Dead(6) Time: 0:46.12
1
Not An Option
- 2c Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Chintz (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: L G Innes 57
2
0.5
Edge Of Wonder
- 2c Tavistock (NZ) x Wonderworld (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: R T Elliot 57
3
2.8
Lady Telena
- 2f Vespa (NZ) x Langara (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: S R Autridge Rdr: S R Weatherley 55
4
6.1
Swey My Way
- 2f Sweynesse (AUS) x Techno Charged (NZ) (Charge Forward (AUS))
Tnr: S Ralph Rdr: S C Spratt 55
5
6.4
Belle Folie
- 2f Pour Moi (IRE) x Perfect Image (NZ) (Perfectly Ready (AUS))
Tnr: S T Wenn Rdr: A C Goindasamy 52
6
13.9
Chilli Choux
- 2f Jimmy Choux (NZ) x Shuswap (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: K Rae & K Williams-Tuhoro Rdr: S T Collett 55
More Reading...
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.
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.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 21
Here is the full list of 101 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Second Stakes Success For More Than Ready’s Oughton
The well-travelled Oughton (More Than Ready) added Saturday’s $200,000 Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) to his previous success in the Listed Tattersall's Recognition Stakes, off the back of a tendon injury which put an end to his stint in Hong Kong.
Headley Grange Gives Exosphere 11th Stakes Winner
A model of consistency with 17 top four placed finishes from 18 starts, Joe Pride’s 4yo Exosphere gelding Headley Grange stepped up to black type race for the first time with instant success, winning the $200,000 Listed ATC Civic Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
Royal Ascot Day 5 – Runaway, Rising Empire and My Best Friend
After five spectacular days of racing, Royal Ascot is over with the finale overnight producing high drama with a runaway G1 winner, the rise of a racing empire and the first stakes horse for St Mark’s Basilica.
Aussie Golden Eagle Form Delivers Royal Ascot G1 Finale
There were a couple of Aussie elements to the brilliant victory of Lazzat in the Group I Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (6f) at Royal Ascot overnight as he came to our shores last year and very nearly won the $10million Golden Eagle.
Bonny Grey Mare Wins G3 Strickland
Last December at Ascot, popular grey mare Admiration Express (My Admiration) nearly caused the upset result of the year when she charged home at odds of 100/1 in the G1 Northerly Stakes for second behind Victorian raider Light Infantry Man.
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.