4 Win Saturday - Sans Doute Leaves No Doubt

Dominating the market, last start winner Sans Doute (3 f Not A Single Doubt - My Prerogative, by I Am Invincible) won the $30,000 Graham's Painters 3YO 1200 metres on Saturday at Trentham.

In a good move by trainer Mark Walker, San Doute was sent south to what appeared another perfect opportunity for success, after winning the Special Conditions 1200 metres on 11 February at Te Rapa, and although snookered on a moderate pace she proved too good in the end.

Ridden by Te Akau apprentice Hakim Kamaruddin (a1), Sans Doute was pocketed in the trail, with those around her intent on making it tricky, but after being extracted in the straight she quickened clear to win easily by one and a half lengths.

“She's won in style,” said commentator Tony Lee. “Just a little concern early in the race, I guess, when she was travelling so big, but once into the clear she lengthened, flattened out, and put them away with a bit of ease.”

On footing rated Good4, she ran 1200 metres in 1:09.0 and reduced from an early $1.80 fixed odds quote, paying $1.30 & $1.10 on the NZ TAB tote.

Sans Doute had also given her rivals a start and beating in the Maiden 1215 metres on 28 December at Rotorua, and scored her third win from seven starts, including two seconds, one of which was the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m). 

“It was another really good effort,” Walker said. “She received a lovely run and Hakim remained patient when things got a bit tight. 

“Her main aim will be the Cambridge Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) on 29 April at Te Rapa.”

A filly with obvious ability, Sans Doute was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $300,000 at the 2021 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, from the draft of Arrowfield Stud, and owned by Te Akau In No Doubt Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). 

Considered a natural looking athlete with a great eye, both her sire Not A Single Doubt (Redoute's Choice) and dam-sire My Prerogative (I Am Invincible) were atop the 2021 General Sires list in Australia. 

 â€œSans Doute is from a fast family, full of black type winners, that includes 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Ugo Foscolo (Zacinto), so it's a family we can relate to in New Zealand,” Ellis said.

“It was a great start to the day, winning with our first runner and we have quite a few nice chances to come.

“It's nice to be racing on good footing at Trentham, and the track seems spot on for Auckland Cup Day at Pukekohe, too.”

Sans Doute carries a bloodline cross through her sire lines to Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m) winner Canny Lad, by speed sire Bletchingly, while dam My Prerogative is doing a good job leaving four individual winners of 14 races. 

Sans Doute was strapped by Ashley Handley.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz