The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Narvaez has been on an upward trajectory since making his debut at Moonee Valley last November and the stable has ambitious plans for the son of Vancouver following his fighting win in a 1600 metre maiden at Bendigo on Sunday.
With Craig Williams in the saddle Narvaez defeated the Street Boss (USA) gelding Galactic Fury by a short-half-head with a further two and a quarter lengths back to the Redoute’s Choice colt Confrontational in third.
Purchased by Gai Waterhouse Racing / Adrian Bott for $300,000 out of the Lime Country draft at the Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Narvaez was making his fifth start having finished seventh in a 1000m scamper around Moonee Valley on November 30 before filling the same spot over 1200m at Randwick three weeks later. Given a let-up he placed over 1100 metres on the Kensington track at Randwick and at Hawkesbury before showing his appreciation for the extended distance at Bendigo.
Narvaez (inside) toughs it out to break his maiden (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)
The son of Vancouver is the sixth foal of Headway (Charge Forward) who was honoured as the Champion 2YO Filly in Australia in 2008/09.
Headways four wins included the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and she was runner-up in the Golden Slipper.
Narvaez becomes the 8th first crop winner for Coolmore Stud’s Vancouver who has had a productive weekend after Exhibition opened his winning account over 1500m at Randwick on Saturday.
