Headwater is off and running with six individual winners in the first fortnight of the new season in a positive prelude to his outstanding mare Jamaea resuming at Randwick on Saturday.
Jamaea is the flagbearer of his 10 Stakes performers and her spring program commences in the Toy Show Quality (Gr.3, 1100m) this weekend. She was a dual Group 2 winner at Randwick last year and trainers Rob and Luke Price are confident she can go all the way this season.
All the way to the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on October 29.
“I know she’s got a Group 1 win in her but with all the extra prizemoney on offer we won’t be rushing into any decisions at this stage,” Rob Price said. “She’s come back a stronger mare. Luke has been riding her at home and reckons she’s doing better than ever.”
Jamaea (4m Headwater – Isibaeva by Johannesburg) was last seen finished third to stablemate Count De Rupee in the Victory Stakes (Gr.2, 1200m) at Eagle Farm in April. She tuned up with an easy 800m trial at Kembla Grange last Wednesday when a half-length second to Godolphin Stakes winner Zapateo.
The Golden Eagle is an obvious target after the stable went so close with Count De Rupee in 2021. “I went the early crow last year but he got left in front a little too early,” Price Snr recalled. “It would be a good story if we came back twelve months later and won it.”
Jamaea was bred by Cressfield Thoroughbreds and is raced by twin brothers Bruce and Ken Noble who are long-time clients of the Prices. They’re also majority owners of Count de Rupee (Real Impact).
Headwater wasted no time making a winning start to this season with Typhoon Titmus saluting in a Pakenham maiden on August 1. She stepped straight into the Group 3 Quezette Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday but didn’t get a crack after a slow getaway. Stewards also reported she was forced to steady off heels at the furlong.
Hydro Star is another Victorian Headwater with a stack of ability and he showed a glimpse of that potential at Pakenham last Monday. The John McArdle-trained gelding looked top-class winning a Sandown juvenile on debut, however, he didn’t progress and became something of a problem horse for connections.
“I know all his tricks but hopefully they’re in the past,” stable jockey Jamie Mott said after the Michael Hurley Hcp (1000m). “He’s turning into a genuine horse this prep and he responded so well when he heard the second horse coming today.”
McArdle and Lauriston Thoroughbreds owner James O’Brien will set Hydro Star for the 55 Second Challenge Series when the Moonee Valley night season starts in September. He was bred by Holbrook Thoroughbreds and is one of six winners, including $400,000 earner Cogliere (Pluck), from Final Star (Delago Brom). She is a half-sister to the dam of Melbourne Group 3 winner Red Colossus (Testa Rossa).
Vinery stands Headwater for a $16,500 (inc GST) service fee. For bookings or further information, please contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
