Trained by the Hayes / Dabernig partnership, Hell or Highwater (pictured Grant Courtney) was ridden forward from a wide gate by Dean Yendall and surged clear to win the 1700 metre feature by a length and a half.
"It was so important for her to win a black type race," David Hayes said.
"To win one at the level really cranks her value.
"She raced well all winter and will keep racing well."
David Hayes indicated the Group II VRC Matriarch Stakes at Flemington over 2000
metres in Cup week would be her spring goal.A $210,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Edwards Elkington Racing from the Yarraman Park draft, Hell or Highwater runs for Alan Green's Echo Beach Bloodstock and Brian Singer. She has won eight of 23 starts earning over $380,000 in prizemoney.
Bred by Yarraman Park and partners, Hell or Highwater is the best of four winners from US stakes-winner Get Ready Bertie (USA), a daughter of champion sire More than Ready. Hell or Highwater is her only Australian bred foal as she died in 2014.
Hell or Highwater was one of two Yarraman Park sold stakes-winners at Caulfied on Saturday joining Voodoo Lad, who won the Group III MRC The Heath Stakes. Read about him here.
Hell or Highwater is the 44th stakes-winner for Arrowfield Stud's top class sire Not a Single Doubt.
