Talented colt Headwater stepped-up his 2015 Spring Racing Carnival preparation with an impressive win in a barrier trial at Warwick Farm this morning.
Headwater led from start to finish in a barrier trial over 800 metres at Warwick Farm this morning. Photo by: Steve Hart
Headwater contested the tenth barrier trial of the morning over 800 metres and he jumped to the lead quickly before Tommy Berry was able to settle him into a nice tempo in the early stages of the trial.
David Vandyke-trained Arsonist loomed on the outside and was asked for an extra effort, but Headwater was able to keep his nose in front throughout the trial despite being kept under a heavy hold by Berry.
Headwater was purchased for $500,000 by Team Hawkes at the 2014 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale and he stamped himself as a leading contender for the Golden Slipper when he made his racing debut with an impressive win in the Cactus Imaging Plate (1000m) at Moonee Valley on December 27.
The Exceed And Excel colt went straight to the top of 2015 Golden Slipper betting markets when he led from start to finish in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 21, but he flopped badly as an odds-on favourite in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) and finished more than five and a half lengths behind Vancouver.
Team Hawkes elected to press on to the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) with Headwater and he loomed as a winning chance at the 200 metre mark, but he died on his run late and could finish no better than fifth.
The exact path that Headwater will follow during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival is yet to be decided by Team Hawkes, but co-trainer Michael Hawkes revealed last week that the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on September 12 could be on the agenda for the rising three-year-old.
Arsonist was having his second barrier trial this preparation after finishing second behind Cannyescent in a barrier trial over 787 metres at Warwick Farm on July 10 and he now looks ready for a return to the races.
The I Am Invincible colt made his racing debut with a sixth place finish in the Mossman At Vinery Plate (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 25 and he was sent to the spelling paddock after he finished at the tail of the field in the Group 2 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 14.
Headwater is currently available at 2015 Golden Rose Stakes odds of $13 and is on the fourth line of betting behind Vancouver ($3), Pride Of Dubai ($7), Mogador ($9) and Press Statement ($11).
