Mileva has added her name to Headwater’s key candidates for the Melbourne classics following a very impressive first-up victory in Adelaide.

The Vinery sire’s unbeaten filly was always in control of the Terry Howe Printing (1000m) at Morphettville on Saturday.  A winner of her only other start at a Murray Bridge metro meeting in January, she kept the leader Quietly Discreet from crossing to the rails before taking care of business in the straight.

Mileva is raced by trainers Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray and will cross the border for the Scarborough Stakes Gr.3 at Moonee Valley on September 25.  “Today’s run will bring her on,” Clarken said.  “She was there to be beaten after locking horns with the leader so it was a good job to win.”

Headwater sired her from Lady Einstein (Magic Albert) who is a winning half-sister to Melbourne Group 2 winner Second Effort (Mossman).  Bred at Little Hills Pastoral by Geoff and Christine Tucker, she was knocked down well below her real value at the 2019 Adelaide Magic Millions.

“We got her for $42,000 but it should have been closer to $80,000,” Clarken recalled.  “She wasn’t behaving at the sales and she still has a few quirks.  We’ve added blinkers and a cross-over nose-band which seems to have done the trick.

“She’s not just a flying machine and would have to be a serious chance in the Thousand Guineas if she keeps improving.”

Mileva’s jockey Anna Jordsjo thanked Clarken & MacGillivray for their loyalty.  “She’s a special filly and went through the gears today.  She was under pressure but was very strong underneath me in the straight.”

Clarken won the 2013 Blue Diamond Stakes Gr.1 at Caulfield with Miracles Of Life and he stayed solid with unheralded hoop Lauren Stojakovic throughout that campaign.

Headwater also has Jenni’s Rainbow nominated for the Thousand Guineas Gr.1 at Caulfield on October 10.  She will continue her classic prep in a Super VOBIS 3yo Hcp (1300m) at Sandown on Wednesday or be reserved for the Cap D’Antibes Stakes LR at Flemington next Saturday.

Vinery stands Headwater for a $13,750 (inc GST) service fee, payable on a live foal and he is fully booked for 2020.  For further information about Vinery’s other stallions please contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).