Headwater's Mileva Bounces back in Alinghi Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday October 16

Following two disappointing runs in Adelaide after defeating the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes heroine Lyre by three-quarters of a length in the Listed Manahi Classic at Morphettville in March, the 4yo Headwater mare Mileva bounced back for an authoritative win in the Listed Alinghi stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

A second stakes success for Mileva (image Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

Ridden by Ben Allen, Mileva made her first start for Phillip Stokes, having previously been trained by Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray.

Advertisement

The daughter of Headwater held the challenge of the Street Boss (USA) mare Bless Her by three-quarters of a length with the No Nay Never (USA) mare Never Talk a further one and three-quarter lengths back in third.

“She was super. She trialled quite well at Pakenham, and I was quietly confident, but she had to bring her A-game today,” Allen said.

“It was a step up in class, and she did it well.

“I was a little bit worried (about the wide gate), but with the main speed scratched, it wasn’t too much of a concern.

“Although we were wide she was in a beautiful rhythm and that’s the main key. Just keeping her happy and she showed a good turn-of-foot and put them away.”

Stable representative Justine Hales said they did not know what to expect.

“Phillip wasn’t sure what she would do (fresh) as we’ve only had her for a short time,” Hales said.

“She did the first part of her prep in Adelaide, then came over here.

“She only had the one jump out on the polytrack - she was supposed to go to Traralgon trials, but that was called off.

“Ben said he was a bit worried about holding her up as she can pull a bit hard in her gallops and in her trials.

“Hopefully, there’ll be some races down the straight at Flemington.”

A $42,000 purchase by Oopy MacGillivray out of the Little Hills Pastoral draft at the 2019 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, Mileva is apparently quite a character. She was reluctant to leave her box at the sales and needed a lead pony to enter the sales ring.

Mileva (image Red Ryan/Racing Photos)

Mileva is the first foal of the Magic Albert mare Lady Einstein who Little Hills had purchased off Vinery for $30,000 at the 2017 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale when carrying the future Manihi Stakes winner.

A winner at Geelong and Cranbourne in a light career of five starts, Lady Einstein is a half-sister to the Group II  MRC PB Lawrence Stakes winner Second Effort (Mossman) and the Group III MRC Heath Stakes winner Diamond Effort (Mossman).

Lady Einstein has a 2yo colt by Nicconi that Wilde Racing purchased for $130,000 at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.

After foaling a Showtime colt last spring, Lady Einstein was again covered by Headwater.

Advertisment

Race Result - Alinghi Stakes LR 1100m

Caulfield Track: Soft(7) Time: 1:04.10
1
Mileva
- 4m Headwater (AUS) x Lady Einstein (AUS) (Magic Albert (AUS))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: Ben Allen 58
Headwater
2
0.8
Bless Her
- 5m Street Boss (USA) x Blessit (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: Clayton Douglas Rdr: John Allen 57
3
2.6
Never Talk
- 4m No Nay Never (USA) x Palace Talk (NZ) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: Craig Williams 57
4
2.7
Emanate
- 5m Lonhro (AUS) x Guelph (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: D Oliver 57
5
3.6
Varda
- 5m Lonhro (AUS) x Wild Queen (AUS) (Loup Sauvage (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Damian Lane 58
6
3.8
Paul's Regret
- 5m Canford Cliffs (IRE) x Denison Star (AUS) (Hemingway (IRE))
Tnr: P A Chow Rdr: Damien Thornton 57
7
4.0
Rubisaki
- 5m Rubick (AUS) x Senro Kisaki (AUS) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: W Egan 56
8
4.5
Bons Abroad
- 5m Bon Hoffa (AUS) x Villa Albani (AUS) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: K L Corstens Rdr: Teodore Nugent 57
9
4.6
Sugartown
- 4m Shamus Award (AUS) x Dinkum Diamond (AUS) (Keep The Faith (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Fred W Kersley 56
10
7.3
Smokin' Val
- 4m Valentia (AUS) x Smokin' Al (AUS) (Al Samer (AUS))
Tnr: Jon O'Connor Rdr: Jordan Childs 56
11
7.5
Button Express
- 5m Shamexpress (NZ) x Whitehaven Girl (AUS) (Umatilla (NZ))
Tnr: Ray Matthews Rdr: Lachlan King 56
12
8.5
Lashes
- 6m I Am Invincible (AUS) x Feint (AUS) (Warring Nations (USA))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: B Prebble 56
More Reading...
Nominees Announced for Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards
The nominees for the prestigious 2024/2025 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards have been announced today by Racing Queensland in association with Racing Australia.
First Season Sires –Headwater
The next stallion on our list of featured first season Magic Millions sires is Vinery Stud’s handsome Group II ATC Silver Slipper winner Headwater, a son of champion sire Exceed and Excel.
Second Winner for Headwater
Vinery Stud’s first season stallion Headwater chalked up his second winner when the Julia Macgillivray-trained debutant Mileva led every step of the way over 1000 metres at Murray Bridge on Saturday to provide a timely update for her Nicconi half-brother heading to the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
Early Headwaters at Magic Milions
Studmasters across the country are predicting a positive reaction from buyers when the first Headwater yearlings appear at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Sale starting on January 9.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Sires With Winners - Monday August 4
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Blue Gum Farm Welcome First Foal of the Season
Victorian nursery Blue Gum Farm announced on Monday the arrival of their first foal of the season and there is no mistaking the sire of this gorgeous filly.
Let’s Take a Closer Look at Headwater
Vinery Stud's Headwater is going to be a pivotal factor in the 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale as with 42 entries catalogued he's the most represented sire in the sale, so let's take a closer look at what he has to offer.