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Stormborn wins at Pakenham

The race to be crowned Australia’s first-season by number of winners intensified on Friday as Headwater (Exceed And Excel) moved within one win of Spill The Beans’ (Snitzel) 12 winners when Stormborn (2 f ex Quick's The Word by Shamardal) landed the Racing.com Maiden Plate (1000m) at Pakenham and in the process handed the Vinery Stud-based sire his 11th winner.

Having the third start of her career, the filly pulled clear to beat Kick It Baby (Shamus Award) by three quarters of a length with another length and a quarter back to Licciardi (Street Boss) in third. 

She is out of the three time-winning Shamardal (Giant’s Causeway) mare Quick's The Word, who is herself out of Lady Of Snows (Bluebird) - the dam of eight winners. 

Stormborn’s third dam is Group 2 winner Catchfire (Century), who is out of Listed winner Kilmarie (Bletchingly) - the dam of Group 3 winner I Love Sydney (Century) and Listed winner Ride The Rapids (River Rough). 

Ride The Rapids herself produced Oakleigh Plate (Gr 1, 1100m) winner River Dove (Hurricane Sky) - the dam of Headwater. 

Further back this is the same family as New Zealand Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Crown Prosecutor (Medaglia d’Oro) and Group 2 winners Willow Creek (Tale Of The Cat), First Command (Commands) and Oneworld (Danehill Dancer). 

Headwater's progeny is headed by Group 3 winner Wisdom Of Water and he will stand at Vinery Stud for a fee of $13,750 (inc GST) in 2020.