Strait Acer went as straight as a die with a burst of acceleration that allowed him to be eased down in the Shoot Out Mile (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
The 4yo son of Vinery sire Headwater went out a short-priced favourite to complete a city hat-trick and the result was never in double once let loose by Jason Collett topping the rise. He had them covered in a matter of strides and went to the line under a hold to defeat Mission Phoenix (Reset) by a half-length.
“That was a really good performance,” Collett said. “He was electric when he sprinted and put them away easily. That was his first go at 1600m so he can improve again next time. We haven’t got to the bottom of him yet.”
Trainer Edward Cummings admitted there were some queries at a mile despite coming off a dominant 1400m victory last time out at Randwick. “He continues to please everyone in the stable and is doing a terrific job. He’s building a great record with 5 wins in 10 starts and a freshen-up looms ahead of a possible berth in the Silver Eagle.”
The $1million ATC Silver Eagle (1300m) will be run at set-weights for 4yo horses at Randwick on October 14.
Strait Acer was bred by Vinery Stud’s assistant stud manager Kate Curran and his dam Money Wanted (Wanted) was the only foal bred by the Curran family from Honey Moss (Royal Academy) who was a three-quarter sister to the dam of Fastnet Rock.
“Honey Moss was quite old when we bought her for $1,200 an Inglis Sale in 2012,” Kate recalled in a recent interview. “We knew the chances of her getting in foal were slim but we sent her down to Victoria to be served by Wanted and the result of that union was Money Wanted.”
There’s another Headwater – Money Wanted gelding that has been catalogued by Phoenix Park as Lot 142 at the NZB 2YO Sale at Karaka on Wednesday, November 22.
The Karaka entrant is a member of Headwater’s largest book of 172 mares at Vinery. That crop sold to $180,000 at the major yearling sales earlier this year topped by the $180,000 Inglis Classic filly from High Gloss (All American).
She’s been named Glassout by a syndicate that races with trainer Brad Widdup.
Headwater sired his latest Singapore winner when Pacific MV was successful at Kranji on Saturday. He had claimed a Ballarat maiden last year when racing as Water Bomber for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent jnr.
Pacific MV is trained by David Kok and he overcame a wide gate to score by over a length after giving the leaders windburn in the straight. “I’m very happy to train my first winner for Pacific Stable,” Kok said. “His recent trial was good so I expected him to run well although the barrier was a concern.
“Full credit to Wong Chin Chuen. He knew there would be lots of pace on early so he just rode a smart race at the back.”
Pacific MV was bred by Eureka Thoroughbreds from Regal Tier (Royal Academy) and is a full-brother to Wisdom Of Water who won a GCTC Ken Russell Classic (Gr.3, 1200m). The Headwater – Royal Academy cross has a 100% winning strike-rate.
Headwater (Exceed And Excel) stands for a $13,200 (inc GST) service fee at Vinery payable on a live foal. For bookings or further information, contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).