Matamata Double - She Sure Turned Heads

Surely one of the most deserving winners in New Zealand, She Turns Heads (3 f Headwater – Convene, by Zizou) won the $18,500 Maiden 1200 metres on 29 February at Matamata.

Having extended late from a handy spot to grab the win when trialling on 20 February at Tauranga, She Turns Heads had previously placed in nine of 11 starts, including third in the Taranaki 2YO Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m), and broke through on her home track after placing three from three on the course.

From eighth in running, She Turns Heads improved stylishly to challenge four wide on straightening, levelled inside the 200m and stayed strong in winning. 

“We worked a bit from the draw (12), but got some nice cover on the back of one and she kept finding after getting to the front,” Te Akau stable rider Opie Bosson said.

In the race named Congrats Savaglee & Ballymore Stables, She Turns Heads ran 1200 metres in 1:11.0, last 600m in 35.8, on Soft6 footing, and held firm in betting to pay $3.70 & $1.50 on the NZ TAB tote.

A nicely put together filly, She Turns Heads was the first ladies' partnership filly and is raced by a great group of women - the Te Akau Go the Girls Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). She was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $300,000 at the 2022 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Carlaw Park.

She Turns Heads is from third crop of speed sire Headwater, a beautifully bred stallion by Australian Champion Sire Exceed and Excel, out of Oakleigh Plate (Gr. 1, 1100m) winner River Dove (Hurricane Sky).

Headwater was an early favourite for the Golden Slipper (Gr. 1, 1200m) after winning on debut, following with the Silver Slipper (Gr. 2, 1100m) and third in the Todman Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m).

She Turns Heads is a half-sister to Scribe (Press Statement), who showed any amount of ability winning two from two, including defeating Te Akau Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winner On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau), before selling to Hong Kong.

Grand-dam Chatelaine (Flying Spur) won three races to 1250 metres, including dual Group Two & Three placed.

“Nick Fairweather (Carlaw Park) bought her as a weanling in Sydney, and did a great job preparing her for the yearling sales at Karaka,” Ellis said.

“She’s a lovely, strong, powerful filly with a deep girth and lovely walk, and has class about her.

“She’s been such a consistent performer, Mark and Sam picked the right time of the season to give her a freshen-up and coming back to win first-up for the girls in the ownership is just great to see.  The ladies just love her and gee she's giving them some racing thrills.

“She’s been stakes' placed and now with that win under her belt it could give her the confidence to keep improving in the next grade.”

Carrying a Danehill (Danzig) cross, She Turns Heads was strapped by Ashley Handley. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz