Strait Acer could be the new kid on the block for Vinery sire Headwater after fulfilling a well-executed plan for trainer Edward Cummings at Randwick.
He had clocked some strong sectionals when runner-up on debut at Hawkesbury last month and went one better in the Furphy Maiden Hcp (1400m) on Friday. “He had a freshen-up on the water-walker after his first start and really enjoyed it,” Cummings said. “When he came back into the stable, we decided to target this race.
“It’s pleasing to get the result especially as he made hard work of it for Josh (Parr). He bungled the start, over-raced, made a meal of the turn, and still had the gumption to run on. He’s certainly still improving and looks to have a bright future.”
Strait Acer (3c Headwater – Money Wanted by Wanted) is another Vinery foal graduate to win in town this season having been pinhooked for $20,000 at the 2020 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale. Bred by Vinery team member Kate Curran, he’s closely-related to Fastnet Rock and the Randwick result was timely given his full-brother has been entered for the 2023 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale.
Catalogued as Lot 896 by Prima Park (as agent), the colt was pinhooked for $34,000 by Carlaw Park’s Nick Fairweather at this year’s Inglis Australian Weanling Sale. Headwater’s other Kiwi entrants include a filly from I Am Grande (Lot 243) from Westbury Stud and a filly out of Tiffany Gem (Lot 599) from Wentwood Grange.
On either side of his Karaka yearlings going under the hammer from January 30 to February 2, Headwater has 12 lots catalogued for the Gold Coast Magic Millions (Jan 10 – 16) and 15 lots at the Inglis Classic (Feb 12 – 14).
Strait Acer continued the amazing strike-rate for Headwater at home and abroad. Tronic Mighty became his latest new winner in Hong Kong when successful in the Bellahouston Hcp (1000m) at Happy Valley last Wednesday evening.
On Sunday, Melbourne mare Head First made it 11 individual winners in the last 10 days for the Vinery stallion in the Wyndham City Council Hcp (1100m) at Werribee. Headwater sired her from Shamardal mare Moon Of Baroda and that cross has an 86% winning strike-rate.
Head First was a $110,000 buy for Mick Price & Michael Kent jnr at the 2020 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale. “She had to be tough to win today,” jockey Zac Spain said. “Mick told me not to burn the candle at both ends so from the wide gate I wasn’t too fussed covering ground.
“She was happy travelling into the race and showed guts to get there although I wasn’t too sure whether we had won on the line.”
