After some hugely creditable efforts over the Sydney Autumn Carnival, Not a Single Doubt colt Stronger gained a very deserved Group 3 win this weekend in the Ken Russell Memorial at the Gold Coast, coming with a great run down the outside to defeat odds-on favourite Accession.
Settled towards the rear by jockey Blake Shinn from a tricky outside barrier, Stronger was always travelling strongly behind Accession, and pulling wide in the straight, the two of them put a large margin on the rest of the field in the manner of a pair of high-class performers.
Stronger, a $1,050,000 Inglis Easter JHB purchase, is the second foal of the winning Starcraft mare Star Pupil. Her first is the NZ stakes-placed Tiger Silk (by All American). Star Pupil is a half-sister to three stakes winners, notably Singapore Horse of the Year Stepitup and high-class Sydney Sprinter/Miler Bachman. This is a great family, that of G1 Golden Slipper winner Polar Success.
Thanks as always to Peter and Paul Snowden and their team for presenting Stronger in such great shape, and congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Donna & Rob Love, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, Fergus & Delia Doyle, Steve & Louise Gillard, John & Fran Ingham, Gary Diamond and Danny & Pauline Saab.