Headwater Strikes Again with the Promising Gunnamatta

Mark Smith - Wednesday July 1

With three winners in the past two weeks, Vinery Stud’s Headwater continued his late season rally when the Richard and Michael Freedman-trained Gunnamatta toughed out a well-deserved win in Wednesday’s the Yes Yes Yes @ Coolmore Mdn (1150m) on the Kensington track at Randwick to chalk up winner number eight for the son of Exceed And Excel.

Advertisement

Beaten three-quarters of a length when making his career debut at Warwick Farm on June 8, Gunnamatta was ridden along early by Brenton Avdulla to hold a spot behind the leader Sharpshooter.

No sooner had the son of Headwater reeled in Sharpshooter, he came under attack from the Not A Single Doubt colt Jimmy’s Dream who clearly took a slight advantage before Gunnamatta rallied to win by a short-neck with Sharpshooter a half-length back in third.

“He spiked a temperature and missed a run last week, but he’s turned up and won well today,” Richard Freedman told Sky Racing.

“He’s a lovely colt and probably wants a firmer surface and more ground.”

The first lot into the ring at the 2019 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Gunnamatta was purchased by Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA) / McEnnis Racing for $80,000 out of the Stonehouse Thoroughbreds draft after he had been pinhooked by Stonehouse Thoroughbreds/Bill Thomas for $40,000 out of the Kambula Stud draft at the 2018 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.

Gunnamatta was an $80,000 Inglis Premier Yearling

A three-quarter brother to the Group III ATC James Carr Stakes winner Yattarna (Exceed And Excel) and a half-brother to the stakes-placed Fromparis Withlove (Smart Missile), Gunnamatta is the seventh winner from as many to race out of the stakes-winning Umatilla mare Umaquest.

Not served in 2017, Umaquest missed in 2018 before visiting Russian Revolution last spring.

Gunnamatta's Melbourne winning half-sister Alexandra Dreaming is in the Attunga Stud draft at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale (Lot 109)

With time rapidly running out before the end of the season Coolmore’s Pride Of Dubai continues to lead the way for the first season sire title with prizemoney of almost $1.2 million from 10 winners. He is $200,000 ahead of Aquis Farm’s ill-fated Spill The Beans who continues to lead the way for number of individual winners (12).

Headwater is currently equal third for number of winners and fifth on earnings, which should please Vinery as they are launching the career of another son of Exceed And Excel, the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Exceedance.

Advertisment

Race Result - Yes Yes Yes @ Coolmore Mdn 1150m

Randwick-Kensington Track: Heavy(8) Time: 1:10.20
1
Gunnamatta
- 2c Headwater (AUS) x Umaquest (AUS) (Umatilla (NZ))
Tnr: R & M Freedman Rdr: B Avdulla 58
2
0.2
Jimmy's Dream
- 2c Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x May's Dream (AUS) (New Approach (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 58
3
0.7
Sharpshooter
- 2c Hinchinbrook (AUS) x Prostar (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: K Mc Evoy 57
4
2.0
Game Royal
- 2g Dundeel (NZ) x Vocalise (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
5
3.8
Sagrado
- 2c Headwater (AUS) x Honesta (AUS) (Monaco Consul (NZ))
Tnr: John Thompson Rdr: N Rawiller 57
6
5.1
Wild Wind
- 2c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Your Life Style (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: A Adkins 57
7
8.3
Tears Of Effort
- 2c Reward For Effort (AUS) x Tears Of Argentina (AUS) (Umatilla (NZ))
Tnr: David Pfieffer Rdr: G Boss 57
8
8.4
Gemology
- 2g Medaglia D'Oro (USA) x Chatoyant (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: J R Collett 57
More Reading...
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 25
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.