Headwater has a multi-talented team of established stars and up-and-comers ready to launch him to another level at Vinery Stud next season.
A son of Champion sire Exceed And Excel, he has the artillery after table-topping results with each of his three crops to date: Leading Freshman Sire (Winners), Champion Second-Season Sire, Leading Active Third-Season Sire (Winners & Wins – to 21 July).
Headwater’s star first-crop mare Mileva is a proven performer at Group level but she will be on trial for significant spring targets in the Bletchingly Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) at Caulfield this Saturday.
“This weekend will tell us if she runs a strong 1200m,” trainer Phillip Stokes said. “She’s more seasoned now and I’m pretty sure she will. If not, we can bring her back to all those shorter sprints during the spring carnival.
Mileva won her fourth black-type event last time out in the Sir John Monash Stakes (Gr.3, 1100m). It followed earlier Listed victories in the Manihi Stakes (1050m), Alinghi Stakes (1100m) and Kensington Stakes (1000m).
“She worked really well at Pakenham on Tuesday morning,” Stokes added. “And I couldn’t be happier with her progress since that first-up win.”
Mileva is the opening $3.50 TAB favourite for the Bletchingly.
Sydney Group 2 winner Jamaea is the divisional leader of Headwater’s outgoing 3yo crop and is set to trial next week for trainers Rob and Luke Price. She was last seen finishing third behind stablemate Count De Rupee in the Victory Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) at Eagle Farm in April.
“She’s coming along super. We can’t fault her,” Rob Price said at trackwork on Friday morning. “Hopefully, she will be right to start first-up in the Show County Quality (Gr.3, 1200m) at Randwick on August 20.”
In Melbourne, Inundation is having a brief break after completing a high-rating hat-trick at Caulfield in June. The Price-Kent Racing front-runner failed on rain-affected going in his 3yo swansong but that didn’t affect the confidence levels of his connections.
“He didn’t handle the track last time but he’s done a super job this prep,” stable spokesman Ben Elam said. “With a little bit of time off, he will definitely be an even nicer horse next season.”
Untapped colt Manhood leads Headwater’s 3yo troops in the Sunshine State. He’s unbeaten after comprehensive victories at the Gold Coast and Doomben since transferring from Michael Costa to Annabel Neasham.
Costa rated Manhood the best galloper in his stable before taking up a contract in the Gulf. Now he’s housed with horses of a much better caliber but Neasham Racing’s Gold Coast assistant-trainer Todd Pollard was taken by his four-length win at Doomben.
“He’s very smart. He had their measure and then some in the straight,” Pollard said. “He has a great constitution and didn’t need to be gelded. He pulled up perfectly and will work through the grades next season.”
Manhood’s dam My Miss Pedrille (Lonhro) is a full-sister to ATC Chelmsford Stakes (Gr.2, 1600m) winner O’Lonhro. Among the options for his first start as a 4yo is a $75,000 One Metro Win Hcp (1200m) at Doomben on August 6.
Headwater stands at Vinery for $16,500 (inc GST) and for bookings or further information, please contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
