In-form Vinery stallion Headwater sired 10 individual winners in November and he’s already gone one better this month after Cuban Waters burst through a gap to claim a Morphettville maiden on Boxing Day.
Cuban Waters hugged the fence for Kayla Crowther and only left the rails to go around the leader Iconic Missile (Nicconi) on the home turn. “She travelled super and really hit the line,” co-trainer Nichole Searle said. “She’s big and strong but still very green. Kayla reckons there’s a lot of upside and we can’t wait to see her go through her grades!”
Bred by Keith and Jan Meadows using Headwater over Cuban Girl (Hemingway), she is a half-sister to their black-type sprinter Cuban Royale (Casino Prince) who won this year’s ATC Carrington Stakes (LR, 1200m) at Randwick.
Cuban Royale is prepared by Rob & Luke Price and was a stablemate of Headwater’s Randwick Group 2 flag-bearer Jamaea. She was retired earlier this year and sold to big-spending Yulong Investments for over $1million at the Inglis July (Late) Online Sale.
Jamaea originally changed hands for $130,000 when offered by Cressfield at the 2020 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale and Cressfield manager Wayne Bedggood is prepping another three Headwater fillies for the 2024 Sale.
First to parade is the filly from Red Ransom mare Adelie (Lot 400) and she received a timely update when her 3yo half-brother Tannenburg (Russian Revolution) came from last in a strung-out field to win a Canterbury maiden last month.
Tannenburg was racing second time out and stormed home for trainer Chris Waller and owner-breeder Viv Oldfield (G & C Pastoral). He holds a nomination for the $3million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 13.
“We were pretty happy with that win,” Bedggood recalled while his yearlings paraded on Thursday morning. “Tannenburg looks a nice horse and a good advertisement for his half-sister.
“She’s a lovely, good-sized, well-conformed filly. Headwater tidies up his mares and our other Book 1 filly from Floreana (Lot 679) is a good sort, too.”
Cressfield’s Book 2 Headwater is a tall filly from Black ‘N’ Tough (Lot 1058) who has clicked with the Vinery stallion. Their 4yo Headstock scored twice on home turf for Rob & Luke Price during a spring campaign and their 3yo Birks looks city-class for Peter Moody following a fighting second at Sale on Saturday.
