Headwater Colt Makes a Statement at His Career Debut

Mark Smith - Wednesday July 22

With all sire titles all but decided for season 2019-20 the focus is on the first season sire battle for number of winners, which is going right down to the wire.

That was impressive Hydro Star wins on debut (Pat Scala/Racing Photos)

Vinery Stud’s Headwater has made a dramatic late season run at the title. The son of Exceed And Excel took his tally of winners in Australia to 12 on Wednesday when the John McArdle-trained colt Hydro Star made a statement at his career debut when powering home from near the tail of the field  in the Ladbrokes Back Yourself Hcp (1000m) at Sandown-Hillside.

Ridden by Jamie Mott for Mornington based trainer John McArdle, Hydro Star was a step slow from the barriers. Mott was content to settle him back at the rear of the field although he was obliged to race very wide.

Advertisement

Still in last place on the turn home, Hydro Star lengthened impressively when asked the question in the straight to defeat the royally-bred Snitzel filly Diamondesque by two lengths with another Snowden-trained daughter of Snitzel Miss Bosetti a long-neck back in third.

Listen below to the high regard the stable holds the handsome bay in.

Carrying the familiar orange and green quarters of the O’Brien family’s Lauriston Thoroughbreds Farm, Hydro Star was purchased for just $15,000 from the draft of Holbrook Stud at the 2019 Inglis classic Yearling Sale.

A ha

lf-brother to the very talented Cogliere (Pluck), Hydro Sar is the fourth winner from five to race out of the Delago Brom mare Final Star who is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Palace Glow (Palace Music) who is the dam of the Group III winner and Group 1 south Australia Derby runner-up Red Colossus (Testa Rossa) and the Group III VRC Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes winner Nediym’s Glow (General Nediym).

Hydro Star was a $15,000 Inglis Classic Yearling

Final Star died earlier this year, however she has two more to run for her, a colt by Wandjina that was sold at the 2019 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale for $8,000 and a weanling colt by Nicconi.

Headwater's total of 12 winners is one behind the long-time leader Spill The Beans while the Champion first season sire elect Pride Of Dubai is on 11 winners.  

Advertisment

Race Result - Ladbrokes Back Yourself Hcp 1000m

Sandown-Hillside Track: Soft(7) Time: 0:59.49
1
Hydro Star
- 2c Headwater (AUS) x Final Star (AUS) (Delago Brom (AUS))
Tnr: John McArdle Rdr: J Mott 57.5
2
2.0
Diamondesque
- 2f Snitzel (AUS) x Asscher (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: D Moor 57.5
3
2.4
Miss Bosetti
- 2f Snitzel (AUS) x Miss Iguacu (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Craig Williams 57.5
4
2.8
Aquagirl
- 2f Headwater (AUS) x Galapagos Girl (AUS) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: Ben Thompson 58.5
5
3.0
Sunflare
- 2f Written Tycoon (AUS) x Deloraine (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: J F Moloney Rdr: D Oliver 56.5
6
4.2
Deep Mirror
- 2f Deep Field (AUS) x Mira Chavali (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: S P Nichols Rdr: Jye McNeil 56
7
4.3
Piscatorial
- 2f Zebedee (GB) x Gemmas Joy (AUS) (Fasliyev (USA))
Tnr: Joshua Julius Rdr: Melissa Julius 56.5
8
7.3
Claptone
- 2g Outreach (AUS) x Sherbet Bomb (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: K L Corstens Rdr: Liam Riordan 56
More Reading...
Consecutive Ballarat Cup Wins For Berkeley Square
While it has been 12 months between drinks so to speak for Dan O’Sullivan’s Berkeley Square with his last race victory coming in this very same race last year, Saturday’s victory in the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) took the earnings of the 6yo Territories (IRE) gelding past the $2m mark.
Provence Wins G1 Mufhasa Classic in a Thriller - Half-Brother for 2026 K1
It was an anxious few moments for the connections of Provence as they waited to hear the judge’s call following the Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday, and they erupted when their mare’s name was called out first.
New SW Lucky Vega - That's Gold Wins G3 Bonecrusher
Bred and sold by Yulong, talented colt That's Gold became a new stakes-winner for Lucky Vega (IRE) when taking out the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe on Saturday. 
Itchintogo Gives Gollan Consecutive Phelan Ready Wins
Jumping away the narrow second favourite off the back of his second place on debut, Tony Gollan’s Itchintogo (Sun City) will now head to the $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast after winning the $200,000 Listed BRC Phelan Ready Stakes (1100m), becoming the first stakes winner for his sire.
G1 Plans for Invincible Sprinter
A five year-old son of I Am Invincible, Caballus is a very much a sprinter on the rise and turned in a blistering performance at Doomben on Saturday to go within a whisker of the course record when blasting his rivals to win the Group III BRC George Moore Stakes (1200m).
New SW for Wrote - Midnight Edition wins G3 Concorde Stakes
Midnight Edition, who has genuine claims to the title of most improved galloper in the North Island this season, stepped up to a new level at Pukekohe when he claimed the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) in emphatic fashion.
Sires With Winners - Saturday December 6
Here is the full list of 108 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Win for $1million I Am Invincible Filly
A $1million Magic Millions purchase from Widden Stud, I Am Invincible filly La Basilique cast off maiden status with a tenacious win at Randwick on Friday afternoon in the Yulong colours.
Shamexpress Sprinter wins G3 Spring Sprint
Lightly raced six-year-old The Scunner showed his last start runner-up finish at Group Three level was no fluke as he backed that effort up with another professional display to capture the Gr.3 Taylor Property Plus Spring Sprint (1400m) at Trentham.
Cosmic Force Filly Wins $250,000 Emerging Stars Final at Ballarat
By under-rated sire Cosmic Force from the famed ‘Discreet’ family promising filly Shystar enjoyed a lucrative pay day on Saturday when taking out the $250,000 Emerging Stars Final (1400m) at Ballarat.