Long-term plan rewarded with Group 2 success

A breeding partnership’s determination to pursue the Redoute’s Choice/Zabeel cross was rewarded on Friday evening when Gypsy Diamond won the $220,000 MVRC Fillies Classic 1600m G2.

The 3YO filly is the 19th stakeswinner for Not A Single Doubt, and his second this season after the success of 2YO colt Risen From Doubt at Flemington earlier this month.

The win was Gypsy Diamond’s second success from seven starts and took her earnings beyond $180,000. Trainer John O’Shea and jockey James McDonald have their eyes on an even bigger prize for her: the $1 million VRC Oaks G1 on 7 November.

Gypsy Diamond’s link with her sire is more than genetic. Her owner-breeders Ron Finemore & John Leaver also raced Not A Single Doubt, who was bred by Arrowfield with John Leaver, and the filly was foaled and reared at Arrowfield.

The Finemore-Leaver partnership purchased the Zabeel-Silk Ending filly from the Trelawney Stud draft at the 2006 Inglis Australian Easter Sale for $550,000 with a long-term intention to send her to sons of Redoute’s Choice when she finished racing.

Named Gypsy Tucker, she descends from a half-sister to the great foundation mare Fanfreluche, also the ancestress of champion Australian sires Flying Spur and Encosta de Lago.

She showed abundant ability and won her second start, but went amiss and was retired to stud as a 4YO. Gypsy Diamond is followed by 2YO filly Veloce Forte (by High Chaparral), also in training with John O’Shea, and a yearling colt by Not A Single Doubt entered for the 2014 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale.

Silk Ending, now owned by Cressfield, has a 2YO filly named Lustrous in training with Paul Messara, and foaled a Snitzel colt earlier this month. 

The effectiveness of the Not A Single Doubt/Zabeel cross was highlighted again on Saturday at Moonee Valley, when 2YO filly Donelle ran second on debut in the $250,000 MVRC Inglis Banner (R) LR for Greg & Donna Kolivos and trainer Gai Waterhouse.

Bred by Oliver Wong, Donelle is the first foal of the Zabeel mare Avarice, from the family of Group 1-winning mares Riverina Charm and Neroli. Avarice foaled a Redoute’s Choice filly earlier this month and returns to Not A Single Doubt this season.

Donelle was purchased by Star Thoroughbreds for $130,000 from the Bellerive Stud draft at this year’s Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale.