We Are Hero made amends for a desperately unlucky last-start defeat when Hugh Bowman was back aboard the Headwater sprinter in the Pok Oi Cup (1000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Starting at even-money, We Are Hero saluted by a half-length after hitting the front at the furlong. “It was no surprise, he’s really found his niche over 1000 metres,” Bowman said. “He came here today and got a beautiful run in transit and ran accordingly.”
Bowman, who was posting his 15th winner this term, has a perfect record on the Aussie-bred expat. They scored an authoritative four-length victory down the straight in November, however, Silvestre de Sousa took over the reins on New Year’s Day in a race best forgotten by his connections and favourite punters.
That loss left the South China Morning Post to dub We Are Hero one of the unluckiest losers seen in Hong Kong so far this season. He never saw daylight and there’s little doubt he would have prevailed with a clear passage.
We Are Hero (5g Headwater – Kinsella by Shamardal) was bred and sold by Kulani Park for $125,000 at the 2019 Adelaide Magic Millions. He had won a Mornington maiden for local trainer Jason Warren before transferring to Manfred Man. His dam is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Ike’s Dream (STC Queen of the Turf Stakes) and the Headwater – Shamardal cross has a 75% winning strike-rate.
Kulani Park (as agent) sold another Headwater colt for $110,000 at the Magic Millions on Thursday. He was purchased by Eagle Farm trainer Paul Butterworth and is from Flemington 2yo winner Bel Chandon (Bel Esprit).
Headwater first-starter Storm The Ramparts flew home for a very impressive third in the $500,000 Magic Millions The Debut 2yo Plate (900m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday. The meeting was then postponed due to the Heavy 10 conditions but the Headwaters will be back in force at the Gold Coast on Thursday.
His runners include Wisdom of Water who will be defending his crown in the MM QTIS Open, Jamaea (MM Fillies & Mares), Goldsborough (MM Snippets) and Dovetail Diva (MM The Syndicate).
