South-coast filly Jamaea has propelled Vinery sire Headwater to the top of the Australian second-season premiership with a brilliant turn of acceleration in the $1million Percy Sykes Stakes Gr.2.
Jamaea burst through a gap at the furlong to sprint past Crystal Bound (Not A Single Doubt) and Joyous Legend (Snitzel) at Randwick. She had been runner-up in the Magic Night Stakes Gr.3 and Lonhro Plate LR before landing the rich 2yo contest over 1200m on the final day of The Championships.
Headwater ($2.59 million) took over as leader of the second-season ladder from Pride of Dubai ($2.18 million) and Spill The Beans ($2.03 million). He shared the freshman winners’ title with Spill The Beans last season.
“She was a striking-looking athlete with an outstanding physique when we bought her as a yearling,” co-trainer Rob Price recalled. “She showed natural ability from the outset and I couldn’t see her getting beaten today.”
Jamaea (2f Headwater – Isibaeva by Johannesburg) was bred and sold for $130,000 by Cressfield Thoroughbreds at the 2020 Gold Coast Magic Millions. Her dam won a Bow Mistress Stakes Gr.3 in Tasmania as did her second-dam Dragila (Encosta de Lago).
Isibaeva has a yearling colt by All Too Hard with NSW syndicator BlueBlood Thoroughbreds and her final foal is a filly by All Too Hard.
“I really like this filly,” winning jockey Tommy Berry said. “She has a sharp turn of foot and there’s just something about her attitude. She could have run in the Golden Slipper but I told Rob she needed a let-up so full credit to the team for giving her a break.”
Price and his son Luke are based at Turpentine Park in Cambewarra and also have stables at Kembla Grange. The Percy Sykes winner is owned by twin-brothers Bruce and Ken Noble who have been long-time clients. They’re also in last-start Rosehill winner Count de Rupee (Real Impact).
Headwater (Exceed And Excel) has a dozen yearlings catalogued for Inglis Sales at Scone and Oaklands in May. Vinery (as agent) has also entered a Headwater – Convene filly foal (Lot 68) for the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale at Riverside Stables on May 6.
