HEADWATER (EXCEED AND EXCEL x RIVER DOVE (BY HURRICANE SKY))
A striking son of Group I Newmarket Handicap winner and Champion Sire Exceed And Excel out of Group 1 Oakleigh Plate heroine River Dove, Headwater makes a lot of appeal at a service fee of $16,500 (inc gst) at Vinery Stud this spring.
He was as sharp as his pedigree suggests winning over 1000 metres at his debut before adding the Group II ATC Silver Slipper Stakes and placing in the ATC Todman Stakes at two.
Headwater's only other start at two came in the Group I Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill where he was beaten into fifth place, less than two lengths behind the winner Vancouver.
Ten of Headwater's 11 career starts came in stakes company and at three he added the Listed VRC Kensington Stakes with Group 1 Newmarket Handicap winner The Quarterback in third.
In addition, the son of Exceed And Excel finished a close-up fourth in Buffering's Group 1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.
A $500,000 Inglis Easter Yearling purchase by Hawkes Racing from the Cressfield draft, Headwater is a half-brother to the ill-fated $4 million Fastnet Rock colt
From one of Contract Racing's most successful families, Headwater has the backing of some industry heavy hitters so looks assured of a fair share of quality mares in his first season.
Having last raced in April, Press Statement is already beginning to let down and what an imposing individual he has grown into.
The first crop son of Snitzel's three-quarter brother Hinchinbrook was unbeaten in three starts at two, including the Group I JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) a race also won by his half-brother Pressday.
At three he trained on to win the Group I Caulfield Guineas, Group II Stan Fox Stakes and Group II Hobartville Stakes with Group I placings in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes when runner-up to Winx and the Group 1 Randwick Guineas.
Bred by Tony Muollo, Press Statement was sold at the end of his two-year-old season as a stallion prospect with Vinery Stud and China Horse Club the main principals.
Overall, Press Statement won six and placed in three of his 11 starts with earnings of $1,832,275.
He is one of four winners for Kaaptive Empress, a half-sister to the dam of Group I winner The Mighty Lions, the dam of Group III winner Vaquera.
Press Statement will stand his first season for a fee of $27,500.00 (inc gst)
