Headwater sired an international double on the weekend just days after champion trainer Peter Moody praised the Vinery stallion at the Inglis 2YO Sale in Sydney.
“Headwater is doing a tremendous job,” Moody said after welcoming a Headwater – Leica’s Lass colt to his team in Melbourne. “They go early and he just keeps getting winner after winner.”
The man who made Black Caviar is the equal of any judge and his tick of approval was rubber-stamped by Starlight (Singapore) on Saturday and Flaming Passion (Hong Kong) on Sunday.
Starlight had won the Singapore Classic (LR, 1400m) in July and he produced a well-timed finish for a narrow victory over 1200m for trainer Michael Clements and PSM Racing Stables. “He’s better suited to sprints but I still believe that, with time, he can go up to a mile,” Clements predicted. “He settles nicely now and was pretty relaxed in behind horses today.
“I thought Louis (Beuzelin) switched him out a little late in the straight, but the horse was too good, and got there in time. He will go again in a Class 3 over 1400m in two weeks.”
Starlight is the first Headwater to race in Singapore and his record stands at four wins in nine starts for the equivalent of AUD230,000 in prizemoney. His dam Zalila (Zabeel) is a sister to Legible (Sandown Classic Gr.2) and he changed hands for $210,000 at the 2019 Inglis 2YO Sale.
Flaming Passion broke through for his first win in Hong Kong when taking out the Shenzhen Hcp (1200m) for in-form jockey Matthew Chadwick
The Happy Valley victory also sent Frankie Lor to the top of the trainers’ championship from David Hayes and Jimmy Ting. The Headwater 4yo was held together by Chadwick behind Hero Star (Kaphero) before taking control in the straight to score with something in hand.
Flaming Passion was bred by Rob Dunnett from his mare Red Duchez (Dubleo) and made $38,000 as a foal through the Cornerstone Stud draft to the 2018 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale. Nearly 18 months later, he was a $420,000 stand-out at the 2019 NZB 2YO Sale following a brilliant breeze (10.30s) at Te Rapa.
Magus Equine agent Willie Leung had to beat off some spirited opposition on behalf of owner Maurice Koo Win Chong who races Group 1 sprinter Mr Stunning. “He’s a lovely horse and is very athletic,” Leung said at Karaka. “There were some other Hong Kong trainers on him so I had to pay a bit more than expected.”
Dunnett reports Red Duchez foaled a full sister by Headwater to Flaming Passion on September 28.
Headwater’s third 2yo crop is getting mobile and his recent trial winner Water Bomber can land black-type on debut in the VRC Maribyrnong Plate (Gr.3, 1000m) at Flemington on Tuesday. Prepared by Mick Price & Michael Kent jnr, he’s bred to go early being a full-brother to Wisdom Of Water (GCTC Ken Russell Classic Gr.3, 1200m).
Vinery stands Headwater for $16,500 (inc GST) with payment on live foal. For bookings or further information, please contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
