Water Bomber’s runaway victory at Ballarat on Friday spurred an exceptional weekend for Vinery sire Headwater and trainers Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr.
Starting in the red, Water Bomber gave favourite punters no cause for concern with an on-pace, three-length victory in the Publicans Day Maiden (1200m). He’s a younger brother to Headwater’s Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic winner Wisdom Of Water and looks a likely Stakes winner in his own right for a syndicate managed by Rupert Legh.
So does his Headwater stablemate Inundation who completed a hat-trick in similar style at Caulfield on Saturday. After crossing from a wide draw, Inundation slipped the field for a three-length victory in the Lamaro’s Hotel Hcp (1000m).
Headwater’s Queensland connection also completed a double on Saturday with Whitewater (Eagle Farm) and Manhood (Gold Coast).
The four-timer sent Headwater’s career stats to 96 individual winners of 200 races with just three crops racing.
Water Bomber (2g Headwater – Regal Tier by Royal Academy) graduated from Eureka Stud for $280,000 at the 2021 Gold Coast Magic Millions. “That was a comfortable win. He wasn’t extended,” stable spokesman Ben Elam said at Ballarat. “He was highly-strung but since being gelded has been much more relaxed. “He paraded and saddled without any problems today but still had the audacity to be on his toes and be acting like he was the boss!
“Patty (Moloney) knows the horse and, after a dicey start, went forward to find a position outside the lead. He cleared out and the win will give him a lot of confidence going forward.”
Inundation is a year older and a couple of steps ahead of Water Bomber after stalking the pace and then dropping front-runner Starry Legend (Zoustar) at Caulfield.
“There’s another race for him in two weeks so we will capitalise on his rating to earn more prizemoney for connections,” Kent said. “He’s a big raw horse who is still furnishing and there’s clearly more to come.”
Inundation (3g Headwater – Flippity Lass by Dream Ahead) was initially purchased by NZ-based Byerley Park trainer Jenna Mahoney for $30,000 at the Magic Millions 2YO Sale in November 2020. His value increased following hollow trial wins at Te Rapa and Avondale and he returned to Australia in a deal brokered by agent Phil Cataldo.
“Today was the acid test and he took the wide draw out of the equation in a matter of strides,” Kent continued. “He travelled sweetly and he won by a big margin, eased up, so it was a very good performance.”
In the Sunshine State, Whitewater began Group 1 celebrations for Vinery at Eagle Farm with a last-to-first winner Whitewater in the Conservatory Hcp (1600m). He had won at the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast earlier this season before an uncharacteristic failure in the Queensland Guineas (Gr.2, 1600m) in April.
“He led them up in the Guineas and it just didn’t suit him,” trainer David Vandyke revealed. “Jimmy (Byrne) advised us to change tactics and let him settle back in the field. He was very strong late today and then eased up knowing he had the job done.”
Whitewater (3g Headwater – Gold Shears by Platinum Scissors) was bred by Peter Harris and is from a mare who won 7 races up to 1800m in Brisbane. His second-dam is a half-sister to John Wheeler’s Champion 11-time Group 1 winner Rough Habit (NZ).
Manhood posted another milestone for Headwater in the Bourke Real Estate Plate (1100m) at the Gold Coast. It was his first start under the guidance of Annabel Neasham following a stable switch from Dubai-bound trainer Michael Costa.
Manhood (3g Headwater – My Miss Pedrille by Lonhro) is also bound for better company following a three-length victory over the Gillian Heinrich-trained stablemates Beaux Rumble (Maurice) and Mount Fuji (Snitzel). All he required was a couple of clips from Jag Guthmann-Chester to stay focused in the straight.
Vinery stands Headwater 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).
