Making her career debut in an 1100 metres maiden at Dubbo on Sunday, the Brett Cavanough-trained filly Water Dove toughed it out in a driving finish to credit her sire Headwater with his seventh first crop winner.
With Chad Lever in the saddle, River Dove jumped smartly from an outside barrier to take up the running but was given no peace from the 3yo Bon Hoffa filly Great Excitement. While that pair fought it out down the straight, the Allan Denham Adios Steve, a son of the red-hot first season sire Night Of Thunder (IRE), snuck up along the fence to make it a three-horse finish.
Water Dove got the nod by a short-head over Great Excitement with Adios Steve a long-neck back in third.
Purchased by Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) for $20,000 out of the Manx Park draft at the 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Water Dove is a half-sister to the Group III-placed Queen Of Wands (Not A Single Doubt) out of the winning Giant’s Causeway (USA) mare She’s Warrego.
The striking Headwater (Exceed And Excel) will stand the 2020 season at Vinery Stud at a fee of $13,750.
