Karacasu has been threatening to win a black-type race since his juvenile days and he will get the chance to make that breakthrough on the back of a welcome result in the Adelaide Galvanising Industries Hcp (1100m) at Morphettville.

The Headwater sprinter held on for a narrow victory over Dothraki (NZ) on Saturday to end a drought going back to May 2022.  “I can’t remember the last time he carried 55kg,” co-trainer Chantelle Jolly admitted.  “He’s been working well and it’s great to see him back winning.

“There was no speed early so Jake (Toeroek) rolled forward.  It was a good tactical ride as that’s not normally his pattern.”

Karacasu (4g Headwater – Miss Cooper by Medaglia D’oro) had been a Group 3 runner-up twice at the 2021 Adelaide carnival and he was also placed at Listed level in last year’s VRC Creswick Stakes at Flemington.

His next assignment will be the first running of the Group 3 Behemoth Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on August 12.  It’s named after the All Too Hard sprinter who won the race in 2020 and 2021 when it was known as the Spring Stakes.

Toeroek will have to choose between Karacasu and 3yo filly See You In Heaven (Divine Prophet) in the Behemoth Stakes.  “I will wait to see how they gallop leading up to race,” he said of the stablemates.  “We’ve always had an opinion of him but he’s had a few little problems.

“He’s going really well this prep and I thought he was my best ride today.  When he kicked I was sure we were home.  He was a bit soft late but will improve fitness-wise.”

Richard and Chantelle Jolly have trained five individual winners by Headwater and they’re equal on top of that table with Mick Price and Michael Kent jnr.  Their other black-type winner by the Vinery sire is Aitch Two Oh in the 2022 Without Fear Stakes (LR, 1050m).

Karacasu was bred by Cornerstone Stud and Vinery sold him (as agent) for $160,000 at the 2020 Gold Coast Magic Millions.  His dam Miss Cooper won at Sandown and Moonee Valley and second-dam Miss Kournikova (Mr. Greeley) was a Group 1 winner of the 2001 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield.

Headwater finished the season with 14 individual winners in July which improved his 2022-23 record in Australia to a career-best 80 individual winners of 125 races.

Vinery stands Headwater (Exceed And Excel) for a $13,200 (inc GST) service fee payable on a live foal.  For bookings or further information, contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).

This year’s Vinery Stud stallion parades will be on Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th of August, starting at 8:30am on both days.  If you have any questions, please call us on 02 6543 8333.

It is essential to RSVP at: https://vinery.com.au/2023-vinery-stallion-parades/