Headwater mare Aquagirl has been a wonderful money-spinner for a Wylie Dalziel syndicate and another big pay-day beckons on the Gold Coast following her victory in the $150,000 Magic Millions 3YO & 4YO Classic at Ballarat.
Aquagirl had been competitive in Stakes company at Flemington last time out and appreciated the drop in grade and a longer trip on Saturday. “She worth quite a bit already being well-bred with a Group 3-placing to her credit at Caulfield,” Dalziel said. “She races for a great bunch of owners and Phillip (Stokes) is big on taking horses up to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions.”
Dalziel bought Aquagirl for $55,000 from Cressfield at the 2019 Gold Coast Magic Millions. She has returned $222,450 to date and is a half-sister to Villami (ATC Fireball Stakes LR). Their dam Galapagos Girl (Dehere) won a Gr.3 Frances Tressady Stakes at Flemington and her half-sister Procrastinate (Jade Hunter) foaled Stakes winners Laisserfaire, Foreplay, Personify, Time Thief and A Time For Julia.
Cressfield welcomed a full-sister to Aquagirl by the Vinery sire earlier this month and they have another two Headwater yearling colts entered for the Gold Coast Magic Millions in January. Lot 367 is from Pfeiffer (Storm Cat), a USA-bred half-sister to Stakes winners in France and England. Lot 809 is out of Tasmanian Stakes LR winner Black ‘N’ Tough (Tough Speed) who also scored at Moonee Valley.
River Twain completed a Victorian double for Headwater in the MC Labour Hcp (1200m) at Kilmore on Sunday. He had it sewn up a long way from home to score by a half-length from Pioneer River (Snitzel)
“He was keen early but came back underneath me after a furlong,” jockey Craig Newitt reported. “He was in control down the hill and used the rail to advantage turning the corner. He carried over 61kg and was strong through the line for a good win.”
River Twain was a $140,000 graduate from the 2019 Inglis Classic Sale for trainers Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr and has paid that back with 5 wins in his first 18 starts. Bred by Kia Ora Stud, he’s the final foal from Manju (Henny Hughes), a half-sister to the Redoute’s Choice black-type winners Ravi (Sheraco Stakes Gr.3) and Elzaam (Carnarvon Stakes LR).
Headwater has maintained the momentum that took him to Australian second season premiership honours in 2020-21. He has sired 11 individual winners in the last month to take his season-tally to 29 – second only to Spill The Beans (32) on the Australian third-season table.
Saturday’s Ballarat Cup meeting also saw the much-anticipated return of flying mare Marabi and she didn’t disappoint in the A Grade Sheds Hcp (1100m). A homebred for Vinery partner Greg Perry, she maintained her unbeaten record with a seven-length runaway for trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
“To be honest, we didn’t expect it to be so easy,” Eustace said. “She’s been slightly less explosive at home being an older mare but that was very impressive.”
Perry bred her from MVRC Sunline Stakes Gr.2 winner Nakaaya (Tiger Hill) who had foaled VRC Oaks Gr.1 winner Aristia (Lonhro) a year before Marabi (I Am Invincible). Her final foal is unraced 3yo filly Siteki (Flying Artie) with Cliff Brown at Cranbourne.
