Less than an hour before his older half-brother Happy Clapper chases another Group One win, Not A Single Cent will be out to showcase his Caulfield Guineas credentials in the McNeil Stakes.
Not A Single Cent won the Group Two VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes during a four-start juvenile season and makes his return as a three-year-old in Saturday’s Group Three McNeil (1200m) at Caulfield.
The McNeil is one race before the Pat Webster-trained Happy Clapper resumes in Saturday’s $1 million Memsie Stakes, trying to add to his three Group One wins from last season.
Not A Single Cent was tried twice at Group One level at the end of his first campaign, finishing unplaced in both the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes and Champagne Stakes in Sydney before a spell.
Co-trainer Ciaron Maher has applied blinkers to the colt for his return race but lamented the second outside barrier in the full field of 16.
“The 1200 metre might be a little bit short but he’s in good order and I’ve put the shades on him,” Maher said.
“He’s a pretty casual horse so it’s just for a little bit of focus.
“He’s come back pretty well.
“His coat will come on a bit more from the run but I’m pretty happy with him.”
Maher believes Not A Single Cent can be a Guineas contender and plans to run him twice over 1400m after Saturday leading into the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 13.
The co-trainer said they would have to map out a plan from the wide draw but said Not A Single Cent was not the type of horse he would want to drive forward early.
“He’ll probably be in the second half of the field and hitting the line,” Maher said.
Vain Stakes winner Tony Nicconi was the early $4.60 favourite for the McNeil on Wednesday ahead of Aylmerton and Group One-winning filly Seabrook at $6.50.
Not A Single Cent was at $17.
