Not A Single Doubt's Qafila Captures Armanasco Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday February 23

Winner of the Listed Debutant Stakes at Caulfield when making her career debut in October 2017, Shadwell Stud's Not A Single Doubt filly Qafila took a further 12 starts and almost a year and a half to add a second, which came in Saturday's Group II Angus Armanasco Stakes at Caulfield.

The 3yo filly was competitive at the highest level last spring, finishing second to Aristia in the Group II Wakeful Stakes over 2000m at Flemington before closing out the campaign with a fifth in the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m).

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Co-trainer David Hayes said only bad luck had stopped her winning several more.

"She's a genuine 2000-metre horse who was unlucky in the Wakeful Stakes on Derby Day at Flemington last year and probably should have won," Hayes told AAP.

"It's great for her to get the Group win today. She's a Listed winner and now a Group winner and she might go for some really good races this autumn like the (Group 1) Vinery in Sydney."

Given plenty of time to settle by Mark Zahra, Qafila, stormed home in the closing stages to defeat the favourite Angelic Angelic Ruler (Universal Prince) by a half-length with a long neck back to Zoubo (Zoustar) in third. (image Grant Courtney)

Purchased by Shadwell Australasia for $450,000 out of the Attunga Stud draft at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Qafila is the second foal of the imported Tapit mare Zighy Bay (USA) who is a three-quarter-sister to Grade III winner and multiple Grade II-placed Sacristy (Pulpit).

Zighy Bay ( USA has an unraced Zosustar colt named The Ladies Man who was a $220,000 Magic Millions purchase for Spicer T'Breds/Darren Weir Racing.

After missing to I Am Invincible in 2016, Zighy Bay (USA) foaled a So You Think filly last spring before being bred back to I Am Invincible.

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