The Redoute’s Choice versus Snitzel rivalry has had plenty of attention over the past five weekends, but on Saturday at Randwick it was Not A Single Doubt’s turn to step into the Autumn limelight.
His 3YO daughter Villa Verde could not have been more impressive as she stormed to victory in the $400,000 ATC Challenge S. 1000m G2, defeating the favourite and last year’s race winner, the ever-courageous Snitzerland (by Snitzel) and Famous Seamus in 57.30.
It was Villa Verde’s first start from the stable of Anthony Cummings, following a recommendation by previous trainer Shaun Dwyer that she would be better suited in Sydney.
Cummings said, “We had a long chat and he really helped, he’s given her a great grounding to do this today. I honestly came here expecting to win.” Villa Verde will run in The Galaxy G1 at Rosehill in a fortnight before a shot at the $2.5 million T.J. Smith Stakes G1 at Randwick on the first day of The Championshops, 12 April.
The grey filly was bred by Todd Lichti and purchased by Shaun Dwyer for $95,000 from the Kiah Glenn draft at the 2012 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale. The daughter of Young and Free (by Kenmare from a half-sister to Rory’s Jester) is owned by Mike Buys and Rob Willis.
Villa Verde is among Not A Single Doubt’s four stakeswinners this season and has taken his Australian earnings since 1 August past the $3 million mark.
Not A Single Doubt’s largest-ever group of Inglis Easter Sale yearlings, 9 colts and five fillies, will be offered next month. It includes two colts and filly in the Arrowfield draft.
