Eight for Vancouver

Mark Smith - Sunday June 21

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.  

Advertisement

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.

Advertisment

Race Result - Welcome Back Owners Hcp 1600m

Bendigo Track: Soft(7) Time: 1:40.08
1
Narvaez
- 2c Vancouver (AUS) x Headway (AUS) (Charge Forward (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Craig Williams 60
2
0.1
Galactic Fury
- 2g Street Boss (USA) x Buratti (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Jye McNeil 61
3
2.4
Confrontational
- 2c Redoute's Choice (AUS) x Zastava (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Jason Warren Rdr: Clayton Douglas 60.5
4
3.3
Energy Within
- 2f Toronado (IRE) x Hidden Energy (AUS) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: D & B Hayes & T Dabernig Rdr: L Nolen 58.5
5
5.1
Pepper's Ghost
- 2g Al Maher (AUS) x Royal Illusion (AUS) (New Approach (IRE))
Tnr: M Ellerton & S Zahra Rdr: M Rodd 59.5
6
8.1
Salutetherisingsun
- 2f Fighting Sun (AUS) x Weekend Hussy (AUS) (Husson (ARG))
Tnr: Brian Lawlor Rdr: Neil Farley 57.5
7
38.1
Smiling Dancer
- 2c Wandjina (AUS) x Sassy Vixen (NZ) (Towkay (AUS))
Tnr: C V Kelly Rdr: H Coffey 58.5
More Reading...
Dominant Maiden Victory for Godolphin’s Burma Star
Having his second start for the Chris Waller stable, Godolphin’s 3yo Exceed And Excel colt Burma Star had race fitness on his side as he ploughed through the wet to win the Keeneland September Yearling Sale Handicap (1100m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
A to Z Victorian Stud Tour – Breednet Goes on the Road
The Victorian breeding industry is on the cusp of something seriously good with arguably the best broodmare band in the country located at Yulong and an exciting new cohort of first season sires poised to ignite – is it any wonder I headed south for my annual stallion parade trip this year.
Debut Winner for Hanseatic
Rosemont Stud’s Hanseatic is on the board with his first winner of the new season after Humble Trader did a great job to win on debut at Sandown on Wednesday.
Feature Race Entries Running Today
The spring carnival is rapidly approaching and midweek metro meetings provide a fertile ground for new talent to emerge so let’s take a look at the runners at Warwick Farm and Sandown today that hold feature race entries.
Yulong Head Entries for 2026 G1 Blue Diamond Stakes
The Melbourne Racing Club is pleased to confirm 1,456 nominations have been received for the 2026 edition of the $2 million Group 1 Sportsbet Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), Victoria’s richest premier race for two-year-olds to be run on Saturday 21 February.  
Farnan Half-Sister Bolts in at Warwick Farm
When a half-sister by Zoustar to Golden Slipper winner Farnan sells for just $250,000 at Inglis Easter you would be entitled to wonder what was wrong with her, but it turns out lack of size does not mean lack of ability.
G1 York International Delivers Nail Biting Spectacle
Last year the Group I Juddmonte International (1m2 ½ f) at York produced a virtuoso performance from City of Troy (USA), who will be paraded at Coolmore Australia this Sunday and the overnight renewal of the race produced a Pride of Jenni like spectacle before the favourite Ombudsman prevailed to win.
Sejardan Strategy in Place
In a highly competitive marketplace for young well credentialled stallions it can be hard to stand out from the crowd, so a well thought out plan to maximise potential ROI and raise awareness is one broodmare owners will find intriguing.
Twain Chasing Family History
Twain will be out to replicate the deeds of his dam when he heads to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 20
Here is the full list of 35 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.