Hong Kong racegoers have finally seen what Charity Joy’s breeders and original owners Wayne, Vicki & Tony Pike saw in him more than 18 months ago: his natural, free-running brilliance.
The 3YO son of Not A Single Doubt jumped out smartly for jockey Douglas Whyte in the 1000-metre HKJC King Kwong H. at Happy Valley last night, challenged for the lead and powered away in the straight to win by four lengths in 57.02 seconds.
Trainer Danny Shum said, “Douglas kept it simple and went straight to the front. He said the horse will jump and run if you ask him and will settle if you ask him – that’s his great asset, that second gear.”
That ability was obvious at Charity Joy’s 880-metre debut in September 2012 when, racing as Doubtless, he careered to a 5.5 length victory at Ruakaka in New Zealand. He was sold soon afterwards to Hong Kong owners Ng Sun Wah & Chan Wo Ping and after taking a few starts to find his feet, has put it all together again in the past few months with two wins and a third from five starts.
Charity Joy is the first foal of Miss Elusive, a winning daughter of Elusive Quality and Miss Jugah, whose 10-win record included the VATC Mannerism S. G3. Not A Single Doubt has obviously clicked with the family, as another branch has produced the 2013 Blue Diamond S. G1 winner Miracles of Life.
Miss Elusive, purchased in foal to Not A Single Doubt for $16,000, was a shrewd buy for the Pikes who spotted her in the Bellerive Stud draft at the 2010 Inglis Sydney Weanling & Broodmare Sale.
All four of Not A Single Doubt’s runners in Hong Kong this year have won: Victorius (2 wins), Tai Sing Yeh, Triumphant Jewel and Charity Joy.
In Australia, Not A Single Doubt has been represented by three stakeswinners this season and is fourth on the 2YO Sires’ list. The son of Redoute’s Choice is well-represented at all the major yearling sales in January: Magic Millions Gold Coast (22 fillies, 13 colts), Inglis Sydney Classic Sale (6 fillies, 6 colts), and the NZ Premier & Select Sales (two fillies, two colts).
A likely star at the Magic Millions Sale is Arrowfield’s striking colt from Spontaneous, a Group 1-winning daughter of Hussonet.