Richard and Chantelle Jolly have won 18 races with sons and daughters of Headwater and they began another big week for the Vinery Stud sire when Oakland Raider broke through in the BMD Maiden Plate (1050m) at Balaklava on Wednesday.
Oakland Raider scored a soft three-length victory but the father and daughter team know it won’t be such an easy watch for their Headwater mare Aitch Two Oh in the Manihi Classic (LR, 1100m) at Morphettville next Monday.
“I think he’s got a bit of a future,” Richard Jolly said as Callan Murray returned to scale on Oakland Raider. “He’s got tactical speed and is getting better with each run. We love the Headwaters but this bloke was a bit hot-headed and slow to mature. He didn’t like city life so we sent him down to David Alridge at Murray Bridge and he came back a much improved galloper and is running right through the line now.”
Oakland Raider (3g Headwater – Madam Oaks by Bullet Train) was bred by Anton Koolman and made $60,000 through Bowness Stud (as agent) at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. He’s from a winning a half-sister to Danedina (SAJC Laelia Stakes LR) and the dam of Seradess (SAJC Tobin Bronze Stakes Gr.2).
Meanwhile, stable star Aitch Two Oh is ticking over nicely since a last-start win in the Durbridge Stakes (LR, 1100m) when carrying 56.5kg in January. “She’s always a good chance but is paying the price with 59.5kg in the Manihi,” Richard said. “She’s a quality mare and can be hard to place over here but the inside barrier will help on Monday.”
The Jollys added another Headwater to the stable when paying $55,000 for the colt out of multiple city-winning sprinter Hazy Lane (Mint Lane) at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale last week. They also purchased a colt by fellow Vinery sire Ole Kirk for $120,000 at Oaklands Junction.
