26 Mar 2022The new look Not An Option impressively put away a competitive field of sprinters in the Listed Hareeba Stakes at Mornington.
In his second appearance from Michael Moroney’s stable, the now gelded son of Not A Single Doubt started the outsider of the field but reigned supreme at the end of the competitive 1200 metre contest.
“It was definitely the right decision (surgery) by the owners” stable representative Glen Thompson said. “He just lost his way a bit.”
We share in the ownership of Not An Option, who was purchased for $240,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale where he was offered by Curraghmore, with several partners including Haunui Farm and Raffles Racing.
The four-year-old settled fifth and one of the fence before lodging his challenge for rider Patrick Moloney four wide on the bend and proved superior in the run to the post.
“Mike will work out what’s best for him in the future, but he’s certainly going the right way now,” Thompson said.
Not An Option, who won the G2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes as a two-year-old for former trainer Tony Pike, is a son of the G2 Rich Hill Mile winner Chintz, who also placed at Group 1 level in the Easter Handicap and New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes.
She is a half-sister to the G1 Auckland Cup winner Chenille and also the family of the two-time Group 1 winner Mo’unga.