Headwater has another good one on his hands if Vital Source can improve off an unbelievable victory at the Sunshine Coast on Friday.
Heavily-backed into $2.70 favouritism, the Chris Munce-trained mare looked a forlorn hope after missing the lick and spotting the leaders at least eight lengths into the straight. Given time to get balanced, she was then set alight by Larry Cassidy to win running away by three lengths.
Cassidy proved patience is a virtue as he weaved a passage through a wall of horses to claim the P D Rambo Memorial (1200m). “Our girl was super impressive and that was a devastating burst,” Munce said. “She had been building towards that win and it was a just reward for the owners.”
Vital Source is a half-sister to Warwick Farm 2200m winner More Moet (More Than Ready). She was bred by Tullyard Stud in Toowoomba from Prerequisite (Charge Forward) who is a Sydney-winning half-sister to Group 1 winner Gold Trail (NZ Railway Stakes).
Headwater was Australia’s Champion second-season sire in 2020-21 and he sits at the top of the third-crop winners table alongside Pride Of Dubai and Spill The Beans. All three have sired 16 individual winners this season.
Role Play is another last-start Headwater winner going places for Kembla trainer Kerry Parker. She scored twice at Nowra this month and is being set for the $700,000 Four Pillars Midway (1500m) at Rosehill on October 30.
“She has come back a much stronger mare this season and has a brilliant turn of foot when given time to settle,” Parker said following the Great Northern Hcp (1400m) last Sunday. “Winona (Costin) rides her quietly but that made it hard when they crawled in front today. But boy, when she lets down, she lets down!
“That will be an asset over 1500m down the long straight at Rosehill in the Four Pillars.”
Role Play is raced by Parker in partnership with Jess Wilson. “She’s a November foal and was only small as a yearling but she was correct and paraded like an athlete,” he recalled. “We got her for $10,000 at the 2019 Inglis Classic Sale and that’s looking like a real bargain now.”
Offered by Holbrook Thoroughbreds (as agent) for Peters Investments, she’s the final foal from Real Pleasure (Octagonal) and is related to Perth Listed winners Noble Cavalier (Melvista Stakes) and Real Treasure (Sheila Gwynne Quality).
Adelaide trainers Richard and Chantelle Jolly have signalled a lucrative interstate mission for their Headwater 3yo Karacasu following his last-start win shouldering 61kg at Morphettville on September 18.
Karacasu (3g Headwater – Miss Cooper by Medaglia d’Oro) will run in the Rebel Raider Series Final (1200m) at Morphettville on October 16 and, if successful, head to the Gold Coast for the $2million Magic Millions Guineas RL on January 15.
“He’s a really nice horse and has shown us enough to pursue the big money,” Richard Jolly said. “A win in the Rebel Raider should give him enough prizemoney to qualify for the Magic Millions. We may go via Melbourne but don’t want to overtax him. One more win should do it.”
Karacasu was bred by Cornerstone Stud and was pin-hooked for $50,000 out of its draft to the 2019 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale. His asking price increased to $160,000 back at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale in January 2020.
Headwater (Exceed And Excel) stands for a $16,500 (inc GST) service fee at Vinery with payment on a live foal. For bookings or further information, please contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
VITAL SOURCE