Headwater’s promising 3yo sprinters Runwiththetide and Storm The Ramparts have led a stampede of 22 individual winners by the Vinery Stud stallion in the last month.
Runwiththetide defeated Miss Emma (All Too Hard) when resuming after a six-month spell in the TAB Plate (1100m) at Randwick last Wednesday. Storm The Ramparts also scored first-up a day later in the NSW Jockeys’ Association Hcp (1000m) at Gosford.
Both sons of Headwater broke through in maidens and their connections would be confident they can progress through the grades this season. “Runwiththetide was gelded after his first prep and that’s made all the difference,” trainer Ross McConville said. “He’s a beautiful mover and we always knew he was a nice horse. Getting over a trip won’t be a problem and now we’re onwards and upwards with him.”
Runwiththetide is a homebred for Manx Park owner Peter O’Shea and he’s the only foal of Hakwa (Harbour Watch) who is from a daughter of AJC Adrian Knox Stakes (Gr.3, 2000m) winner Dottoressa (Dr Grace). McConville was a long-time racing manager and business partner of Gwenda Markwell and he took over the stable when she passed away this time last year.
Joe Pride prepares Storm The Ramparts who began his career with trainer Mark Newnham. “I have quite a few horses that were with Mark before he went to Hong Kong,” Pride said. “This bloke is straightforward and everything has been good so far.”
Storm The Ramparts crossed from a wide gate to stalk the speed at Gosford before a burst of acceleration propelled him to a winning lead under Josh Parr. He went out a short-priced favourite following a juvenile season that kicked off with a placing in the $500,000 Magic Millions The Debut (900m) at the Gold Coast in January.
He signed off for Newnham finishing fourth in the Wellington Boot (1100m) in March. “His trials have been very good since coming back into work,” Pride added. “He showed a fair bit of talent last season and that experience was an advantage today.”
Storm The Ramparts was an $85,000 buy from Valiant Stud at the 2022 Gold Coast Magic Millions for a large syndicate managed by Nick Tzaferis. Headwater sired him from Quick’s The Word (Shamardal) who had completed an unbeaten hat-trick for Bjorn Baker at Canterbury a decade ago. She had already foaled Headwater’s Warwick Farm-winning mare Stormborn and last year’s ATC Bob Charley Stakes (LR, 1100m) winner Dragonstone (Mikki Isle).
Headwater can build on his recent strike-rate this Saturday with consistent sprinter Keep Reading in Race 1 at Morphettville and he’s also doubled-handed in Race 1 at Doomben with Head Honcho and Head Case.
On Sunday across the Tasman, Headwater’s 2yo filly Velton makes her debut in Race 1 at Tauherenikau. She cost $80,000 at this year’s NZB National Yearling Sale at Karaka and won a catchweight trial as easy as you like at Waverley last month. Her second-dam Ten Carat Rock (Rock Of Gibraltar) is a three-quarter sister to Redoute’s Choice.
Vinery stands Headwater for a $13,200 service fee (inc GST). For bookings or further information, please contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
