It took South Australian stables 28 races to break through at the Melbourne Cup carnival but it was worth the wait when Headwater filly Aitch Two Oh won the Red Roses Stakes (Gr.3, 1100m).
“We’re ecstatic,” Adelaide trainers Richard and Chantelle Jolly chorused on Thursday. “All honours to Aitch Two Oh. The Red Roses is her second black-type victory and she’s a valuable filly for the future.”
Aitch Two Oh (3f Headwater – Very Dogmatic by Swiss Ace) had won the Without Fear Stakes (LR, 1050m) at Morphettville in May and completed a productive autumn campaign with a placing in the David Coles Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m). She had excuses first-up on a Soft 7 at her home track last month but the addition of blinkers and a Good 4 made all the difference at Flemington.
“She doesn’t like the wet and has been a bit field-shy,” Richard Jolly revealed. “But she’s such a talented filly and has shown us plenty since walking into the stable.”
Aitch Two Oh notched the 10th Stakes win by Vinery sire Headwater when she kept lifting for James McDonald to score by a long-head from La Danseuse Rouge (Manhattan Rain). McDonald replaced regular rider Jake Toeroek who was stranded at Adelaide Airport.
Vinery had come close to winning the Red Roses in a blanket-finish last year. Its Inglis Easter graduate A Very Fine Red (Deep Field) finished second and Sonnet Star (Star Turn) fourth.
The Jollys redressed that result and they have a perfect record with Headwater. The father-daughter team have prepared four winners by the Vinery sire from as many starters and they have won 10 races.
Aitch Two Oh was bred and sold by Baramul Stud for $65,000 at the 2021 Adelaide Magic Millions. Baramul owner Gerry Harvey kept a share and Magic Millions Perth Manager David Houston is also in the syndicate that has banked $374,000 from four wins in seven starts.
Her dam Very Dogmatic is a full-sister to Mywayorthehighway (GCTC Vo Rogue Plate (Gr.3, 1200m) and the mare’s Press Statement colt was purchased by Mark Kavanagh for $85,000 from Baramul at this year’s Adelaide Magic Millions.
Headwater can sire another feature winner at Rosehill this Saturday with his classy mare Jamaea in the Hot Danish Stakes (Gr.2, 1400m). Trainers Robert and Luke Price sent her back to Sydney this week following an unplaced effort in the Rising Fast Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) at Flemington.
“Hopefully, it’s a more suitable surface at Rosehill,” Luke Price said. “She ended up in the worst part of the track last Saturday and copped two good bumps from the winner as well. It wasn’t on the agenda to back up but she licked the bin clean and pulled up extremely well.”
Headwater (Exceed And Excel) stands at Vinery 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).
