After placing in twelve stakes races, including five at the highest level, the heavens smiled down on the six-year-old Sacred Falls mare Icebath in Saturday’s Group 1 TAB Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
Finally! (image Grant Courtney)
Under a well-timed, ground-saving ride by Craig Williams, the Brad Widdup-trained mare defeated Mirra Vision (Lonhro) by a long-neck, with Excelida (Exceed And Excel) three-quarter length back in third.
The daughter of Sacred Falls completed a wonderful few minutes for her breeder, Waikato Stud, whose colours were carried to victory by the Savabeel gelding I Wish I Win in the $10,000,000 Golden Eagle at Rosehill.
The winner of the valuable The Invitation at Randwick, Icebath advances her record to five wins, nine seconds, and seven thirds from 38 starts with earnings of $5,208,915.
The List of Icebath’s near misses.
2nd G1 Randwick George Main Stakes 1600m (2022)
2nd G1 Flemington Cantala Stakes 1600m (2021)
2nd G1 Randwick Doncaster Mile 1600m (2021)
3rd G1 Randwick Queen Of The Turf 1600m (2022)
3rd G1 Randwick Doncaster Mile 1600m (2022)
2nd G2 Randwick Tramway Stakes 1400m (2022)
3rd G2 Randwick Guy Walter Proven T'bred Stks 1400m (2021)
3rd G3 Randwick JRA Plate 2000m (2022)
3rd G3 Randwick Show County Qlty 1200m (2021)
3rd G3 Randwick Triscay Stakes 1200m (2021)
3rd G3 Rosehill H'bury Gneas 1400m (2020)
2nd LR Randwick Sth Pacific Classic 1400m (2020)
Assistant trainer Andre Rabbett said it was an emotional time for connections.
“She finally showed all the faith we had in her, she’s come through and got the maiden Group 1,” Rabbett said.
“It always was (the plan). She does race well on a one week backup, she’s done that a couple of times before, and having that trip down here last year, this was always the plan.”
“It’s been an uphill battle (with the floods), but the training facilities at Hawkesbury, we certainly can’t complain, the polytrack is perfect to train on, our stable is safe from the floods, we got through, but it’s certainly been a tough time for a lot of people.
“Off her work at home we always knew she was up to this grade, she just needed things to go her way. It took a lot of faith from Brad and the owners to back her up after her last run, we just had to draw a line through that run, we got her back home, there was nothing wrong with her. Brad said we’ll send her down, hopefully things go right for her.”
Craig Williams received some good-natured ribbing from the large crowd after going back to scale on foot after Icebath began to play up shortly after her memorable win.
“She’s a bit of a lady and she’s got her mannerisms and we saw that on display,” Williams said.
“She did all the running to get the Group 1 and she made me do all the running to get home.”
“I’ve been watching a few replays on her and done some homework with her trainer, Brad Widdup, he’s unwell and back in Sydney.
“I went back and watch old races of this race and when I walked the track, I was really happy, I could be economical. Most importantly I had the horse to deliver, and she was awesome.”
Icebath was a $100,000 purchase for Jadeskye Racing / Brad Widdup Racing / Samaco Racing from the Sledmere Stud draft at the 2018 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Bred by Waikato Stud, the daughter of Sacred Falls is the third stakes-winner for the 5-time winning Savabeel mare Fabulist after Courier Wonder (Sacred Falls) and Nowyousee (O’Reilly). Fabulist also has the Group III placed Just Fabulous (O’Reilly).
Fabulist has a yearling filly by Super Seth and is back in foal to the Caulfield Guineas winning son of Dundeel.
Icebath is the sixth stakes-winner and second Group 1 winner for Waikato Studs Sacred Falls (O’Reilly) who died at the age of ten in 2019.
