Co-trainer Michael Hawkes has described expensive yearling Doubtland as the “real deal” ahead of the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes following the colt’s dominant win down the straight in the Group 2 $200,000 Danehill Stakes (1200m).
Doubtland (pictured at Randwick) is onto the Coolmore Stud Stakes after dominating the 2020 Danehill Stakes in his Melbourne debut. Photo: Steve Hart.
Having his first run down the iconic “Straight Six”, the son of Not A Single Doubt was a $1.1 million buy and is now rewarding connections.
Doubtland took his record up to three wins from four starts in his Melbourne race debut at Flemington on the back of a lead-up fifth to Anders in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) in Sydney.
“To be fair today was always going to tell. First-up we went home and scratched our heads because we know he’s good, he’s very good, and they just went so hard the other day,” Hawkes told the media post-win.
“I get it right every now and then, I did think he’d like the straight so I’m glad I got it right in this race let me tell you.
“He’s a serious colt this bloke.”
Showing an affinity for the straight track, Doubtland was ridden to victory second-up by the ‘Wizard of the West’ William Pike who was aboard the horse for the first time in the race.
Despite looking in trouble in the closing stages, Pike never panicked and his patience paid off as he finally got the late split he needed and was able to burst clear and charge home.
“When he really got out, he put those ears back and he’s a smart horse this horse,” Hawkes said.
Doubtland produced a sustained burst of speed once he got through the gap, relishing the rain and sting out of the track, to record a three-quarter length victory over Amish Boy with Ranting running an eye-catching third.
Hawkes confirmed plans to stay in Melbourne now with Doubtland who targets the Group 1 $1.5 million Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) back at the track and distance on Derby Day, October 31.
“You can never say never but that was always his plan to come down, run in Sydney and then come down for the Coolmore,” he said.
“He was never gone, but he’s back and he’s up and about. He was an expensive colt with a hell of a pedigree.
“He’s the real deal this bloke.”
Sepoy (2011) was the last horse to complete the Danehill Stakes – Coolmore Stud Stakes double.
All-in 2020 Coolmore Stud Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.com.au has the colt in from $14 to $7 with earlier Group 2 The Run To The Rose winner Rothfire the $5 favourite.
Click here for the latest futures Coolmore Stud Stakes odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.
2020 Danehill Stakes Results
| Colour | Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1 | 4 | DOUBTLAND | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | William Pike | 9 | 58.5kg | $7 | ||
 |
2 | 6 | AMISH BOY | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Jamie Mott | 0.75L | 1 | 57kg | $41 | |
 |
3 | 7 | RANTING (NZ) | Leon & Troy Corstens | Ben Melham | 0.85L | 5 | 57kg | $13 | |
 |
4 | 1 | PRAGUE | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | John Allen | 1.05L | 8 | 58.5kg | $4.20F | |
 |
5 | 10 | PERSONAL | Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes | Damien Oliver | 2.8L | 4 | 55kg | $14 | |
 |
6 | 5 | EXTRA TIME | Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas | Craig Williams | 3.55L | 2 | 58.5kg | $21 | |
 |
7 | 8 | ON THE LEAD | Richard & Michael Freedman | Luke Currie | 4.3L | 10 | 57kg | $8 | |
 |
8 | 11 | ANNAVISTO (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Jye McNeil | 4.8L | 6 | 55kg | $6 | |
 |
9 | 9 | TYDEUS |
Lindsey Smith | Michael Rodd | 5.8L | 11 | 57kg | $14 | |
 |
10 | 3 | HARD LANDING | Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes | Luke Nolen | 6.2L | 3 | 58.5kg | $51 | |
 |
11 | 2 | WISDOM OF WATER | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Mark Zahra | 9.7L | 7 | 58.5kg | $7.50 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
