Yu Long Investments homebred Yulong Holiday clung to a rapidly diminishing half-head victory in a 1400 metre maiden at Echuca on Sunday to credit his sire Headwater with his 13th individual winner and join Spill The Beans at the head of the first season sire table for number of winners.
Ridden by Jack Hill, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained colt was the lone two-year-old in the 14-runner field. He took a commanding lead at the 200 metres but was all out to hold the challenge of the 3yo O’Lonhro gelding Kiss Me If You Can with the fast-finishing Proisir gelding Slipintothis a length back in third.
It was just the second start for Yulong Holiday who debuted with an eighth of 12 over 1200m on the Pakenham Park Synthetic on July 10.
He is the second winner from as many to race out of the winning Zabeel mare Ella Zabella who was purchased by Riyue Trading for $25,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale when carrying Yulong Holiday.
Ella Zabella is a daughter of the popular racemare Stella Maree (Magic Ring) who numbered three Listed stakes wins among her seven wins.
Stella Maree is herself a half-sister to the Group III Chelmsford stakes and Group II Hill Stakes winner Pasta Express who was runner-up in the Group 1 AJC Metropolitan.
Ella Zabella has not hade much luck in the past two seasons.
Her 2019 foal by Almanzor (FR) died after birth and she missed to Grunt last season.
Vinery Stud's Headwater has had a remarkable run in the last few months. His 13 wins brings him equal to long-time leader Spill The Beans as we count down to the final week of the season.
