A solid early pace set by Joy Rider and the favourite Little Tycoon in the Furphy 3yo Maiden (1400m) at Randwick-Kensington on Friday set the race up for a thrilling finish.
As the leaders began to back up, the Headwater colt Strait Acer and the Star Witness debutant Associate settled down to fight the race out.
It was Josh Parr on the Edward Cummings-trained Strait Acer who edged out the rallying Associate by a short-half-head. The most experienced runner in the race Sizzler (No Nay Never) was a further two and a quarter lengths away in third.
There was solid support for Strait Acer, who finished second on debut in a 1300m maiden at Hawkesbury on November 9.
“He made hard work of it from start to finish, so we owe Josh a debt of gratitude,” Cummings said.
“He bungled the start, over-raced, made a meal of the turn, and still had the gumption to run on.
“He has a lot of improvement, and it is not the last time you will see him in town.”
A $20,000 purchase for Rathden Bloodstock Services / WBF Thoroughbreds from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2020 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, Strait Acer was back in the ring at the 2021 Inglis Ready2Race Sale. He did not exactly hit it out of the park, selling to owner P Wade for $25,000.
Strait Acer is the first winner from two to race from the unraced Wanted mare Money Wanted, whose dam Honey Moss (Royal Academy) is a three-quarter sister to the dam of Fastnet Rock.
Prima Park will offer a brother to Strait Acer at Karaka in February (Lot 896).
Carlaw Park shelled out $34,000 for the colt that was offered by Vinery Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale.
Vinery Stud’s Headwater has 12 catalogued for the Magic Millions, 15 at the Inglis Classic and two in book 1 and 1 in book 2 at Karaka.
