Weekend Round-up: 20-21 November 2021

Not A Single Doubt 2YO wins Ballarat Classic
It’s typical of Arrowfield’s beloved over-achiever, the now-retired Not A Single Doubt that he should post his first 2YO winner of the season in the $250,000 Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic. 

That’s Cusack (ex Belle Que by Street Cry’s son Street Hero) who booked his trip to the Gold Coast for Magic Millions’ big show, the $2 million 2YO Classic RL on 15 January, with a professional debut victory. 

Bred & sold for $200,000 by Fernrigg Farm, he’s trained by Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young for a now very excited group of women who make him eligible for the Magic Millions $500,000 Racing Women’s bonus.

Sire of 28 juvenile stakeswinners among his career total of 78, Not A Single Doubt has only 36 yearlings in his final crop and Magic Millions has secured 15 of them for their flagship Gold Coast Sale, including Fernrigg Farm’s full sister to Cusack and two fillies & two colts offered by Arrowfield. 

Shalaa’s 16th winner this season
Arrowfield’s 3YO filly Shalstar (ex Dual Star by Starcraft) progress since her debut second at Muswellbrook had pleased trainer Paul Messara and she confirmed that she’s a talent on the rise with a determined 1000-metre win at Gosford.

Shalaa’s 16 Australian winners this season include 2YO stakes performers Semillion (Inglis Banner RL) & Le Gagneur (3rd, Maribyrong Plate G3), and 3YO city winners Cheerful Legend, Shajaea & Shalaa King. He currently sits in 4th spot, behind Maurice, Capitalist & Flying Artie on the Second Season Sires’ earnings table with just over $1 million.

Shalaa has 26 yearlings catalogued for Magic Millions 2022, 12 of them offered by Arrowfield.

Mikki Isle 3YO aims at Gosford Guineas
It’s a sign of Japan’s global rise as a thoroughbred superpower that three of the winners at Saturday’s major NSW meeting are by sons of Deep Impact: The Gong winner Count de Rupee & Dynamic Impact (both by Real Impact) exciting 3YO Dragonstone (by Mikki Isle).

Dragonstone’s strong first-up win over 1000 metres at Kembla Grange confirmed his readiness for his main summer target, the Gosford Guineas LR on 29 December.

Trainer Mark Newnham said, “He’s a really promising little horse. He’s got a really good turn of foot and you don’t get that often.” 

Bred by part-owner Forest Lodge from the Shamardal mare Quick’s The Word, Dragonstone has now won twice and placed twice in four starts since June for prizemoney of almost $150,000.  

Mikki Isle’s two Magic Millions 2022 yearlings from his third & final Australian crop  will be offered by Arrowfield and Newhaven Park.