Headwater filly Ashra Jahre began her latest campaign with a win against the odds for jockey Tom Sherry and trainer Mark Newnham on Tuesday.
She sat three-wide for the entire journey before ranging up to defeat Titan Star (Rubick) in the Ison Hardware Maiden (1000m) at Nowra. Pitted against all ages, she started a short-priced favourite first-up after a strong Warwick Farm barrier trial win earlier this month.
“We had her ready for the first 2yo race of the season in the Gimcrack Stakes but she got a bit lost that day,” Newnham said. “She’s a big, scopey filly with a long stride and has taken a little longer to get her action together.”
Ashra Jahre was purchased by Darby Racing for $80,000 at the 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. She is the latest first-crop winner by Vinery sire Headwater and her dam Jahre (Encosta de Lago) is from the immediate family of Champion South African sprinter Laisserfaire (Danehill).
Anthony Cummings bought her full-brother for $150,000 at this year’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Headwater is a Top 5 Australian freshman sire this season with 6 winners of 8 races and $547,285 in prizemoney. Vinery stands him for a $13,750 (inc GST) service fee payable on a live foal.
His Ken Russell Memorial Classic Gr.3 winner Wisdom Of Water has transferred from Queensland to Caulfield where he will be trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr. Owned by Zhiqiang An and Aquis Farm, he will be set for the Coolmore Stud Stakes Gr.1 at Flemington on October 31.
