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.
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.
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.
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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).
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.
