The biggest week of the racing calendar has started strongly for Headwater, enjoying success across the country over recent days, including his eighth individual Stakes winner.
London’s Image certainly didn’t know her price when going around as an outsider in the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes at Ascot on Tuesday, with the filly putting in a tenacious performance to win the 1400-metre contest.
Allowed to roll freely under Victoria Corver, London’s Image had the field chasing from a long way out, and had enough in the locker to repel a flurry of late challenges, including in the stewards’ room, to win her first Stakes race.
Trained by up-and-coming trainer Ryan Hill, London’s Image was purchased at the 2023 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale for $20,000 from the draft of Holbrook Thoroughbreds.
It’s a handy time to strike winning form in Western Australia, with the Champion Fillies’ Stakes, WA Guineas and the Placid Ark Stakes all lucrative options for three-year-olds over the coming weeks.
Metropolitan racing at Eagle Farm served as the perfect stage for the Robert Heathcote-trained Runwiththetide to break through for a deserved second career victory on Tuesday.
Ridden by apprentice Bailey Wheeler, the four-year-old gelding appreciated the drop in class from his first run this preparation, winning in Class 1 company by 0.9l. Runwiththetide is an earner of just under $130,000 in career prize money to date.
Tuesday also saw Aquatier break her maiden in impressive fashion, winning the opening race on the Gold Coast. Prepared locally by trainer Gary Doughty, Aquiter improved sharply at her third career start, winning confidently under Michael Cahill.
Hedonist turned in a gallant Cup Day performance at Flemington on Tuesday, running second in the fourth race on the program for Tom Debernig and John Allen. With three placings from four runs this preparation, connections have plenty to look forward too with the three-year-old as he continues to mature.
On Saturday, the Anthony Cummings-trained Tristate showed his toughness in Benchmark 78 grade at Rosehill, pouncing on the lead and kicking clear to record a nice 1.3l victory. Ridden by Tom Sherry, Tristate took a rails run when the opportunity opened, hitting the line strongly at the end of 1100 metres. The six-year-old gelding had finished in the minor money at his two previous starts, and despite the 60-kilogram impost, Tristate converted his consistent form into a fourth career victory.
Tristate was a $150,000 purchase for Cummings at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, from the draft of Glastonbury Farms. His $443,000 in career prize money to date has more than repaid the faith for connections.
Vinery stands Headwater for just $9,900 (inc. GST) service fee this season with payment on a live foal. For bookings or further information, contact Adam, Harry, McKoy or Peter on (02) 6543 8333.
