Highly-regarded Headwater sprinter Inundation broke the Moonee Valley 1000m track-record in his first significant step towards a black-type career for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent jnr on Saturday.
Rated a Stakes horse since a winning hat-trick at Caulfield in July, Inundation resumed from a spell with a devastating victory in the Sweeney Caroline Springs Hcp (1000m). He eye-balled Unflinching (I Am Invincible) down the schute and then sprinted clear on the corner to stop the clock at 56.84s. Leading jockey Jamie Kah let him cruise through the line to break the old mark of 56.92s set by Written Beauty at the Group 1 Manikato Stakes meeting in 2020.
“Inundation is very special,” Kah claimed. “The pressure was on but he relaxed and came back underneath me. He’s got a great attitude and didn’t overdo it early. He’s matured and will be all the better fitness-wise out of this race. He has a very bright future.”
Vinery sire Headwater sired him from Flippity Lass (Dream Ahead) and he was initially purchased by NZ-based Byerley Park trainer Jenna Mahoney at the Magic Millions 2YO Sale in November 2020. His value soared following hollow trials wins at Te Rapa and Avondale and he returned to Australia in a deal brokered by agent Phil Cataldo. Bred by Queenslander Peter Marshall, he’s from a three-quarter sister to Northern Meteor Group 1 winner Cosmic Endeavour (Canterbury Stakes & Tatt’s Tiara).
Marshall retained his 3yo half-sister Ocean Endeavour (Astern) and she won a Sunshine Coast trial for Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted in August.
Price and Kent have prepared more Headwater winners (5) and wins (16) than any other stable and they are happy enough to take Inundation through the grades this prep. “I loved the way he bounced from the barriers and took control outside the leader,” Kent said. “He rolled along off a fast tempo and it was a nice watch in the straight. He definitely looks a Stakes horse but we will capitalise on his low rating and win some more prizemoney for the owners.”
Headwater (Exceed And Excel) has sired 17 individual winners in the last month including Hong Kong expats Tronic Mighty (Happy Valley) and We Are Hero (Sha Tin). His 2yo colt Storm The Ramparts is ready to rumble, however, he won’t race for another three weeks off a determined trial win at Warwick Farm on Friday. Trainer Mark Newnham and a syndicate managed by Nick Tzaferis are keeping their powder dry until the $500,000 Magic Millions The Debut 2YO Plate (900m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday, January 14.
The Debut 2YO Plate field of 12 first-starters and 8 emergencies will be finalized later this week after 2yo trials at the Gold Coast and Rosehill. Storm The Ramparts (2c Headwater – Quick’s the Word by Shamardal) was sold by Valiant Stud (as agent) for $85,000 at the Gold Coast Magic Millions in January and, six months later, his older half-brother and stablemate Dragonstone (Mikki Isle) won the ATC Bob Charley Stakes (LR, 1100m) for the same connections.