Headley Grange's determination secures Tramway Stakes victory
Trainer Joe Pride detailed the efforts of his three contenders in the prestigious Group 2 $300,000 Tramway Stakes (1400m) held at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
The Tramway Stakes delivered a nail-biting finish, where Headley Grange ultimately triumphed, while his stablemate Attica surged home for third, and Private Eye could only advance past one runner in the final stretch to finish seventh.
It seemed Soothsayer had the race won when it pulled clear halfway down the straight, but Pride could see Headley Grange gaining ground, and the trainer remained confident.
"This horse is a winner, he just finds a way to get it done,'' Pride said.
"About 100m out I had a bit of faith he was going to find a way to get there because he doesn't really run 'seconds', if he gets close enough he finds a way to win.''
Headley Grange ($3.80), steered by jockey Adam Hyeronimus, displayed its potent winning instinct as it wore down Soothsayer ($16) by a nose, with Attica ($12) finishing strongly in the latter stages for third, a couple of lengths adrift.
Idle Flyer, the $2.45 favourite, slightly faltered in its run to cross the line in fourth.
Hyeronimus noted that Headley Grange was exceptionally calm before the race, which contributed to its performance.
"I swung on him going out and he went around nice and relaxed,'' Hyeronimus said.
"Even behind the gates, normally first-up he can get a little bit hot but he was well behaved today.
"He didn't have the speed to go with them early. I thought I'd be in a position a pair closer, but the result was I was following the one who I thought was the one to beat.
"I had a good run down the running. The second horse went really well and challenged us."
Pride acknowledged that the primary spring target for Headley Grange remained undecided, although he is keen to attempt a defence of the gelding's title in the Group 3 $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on October 10.
"I am extremely happy with him, he has returned in great shape,'' Pride said.
"I haven't made up my mind with Headley Grange but I would like to get him to the Alan Brown Stakes. We have a lot of options with him."
Attica was producing its best work on the line, and Pride indicated that the horse is unlikely to race again until the Group 1 $1.5 million Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 3.
"Attica was fantastic, he was really good,'' Pride said. "I might go straight to the Epsom."
Private Eye was expected to set the pace or be near it, but it started slowly and settled at the rear of the field.
"Nash said he couldn't get Private Eye to go a yard,'' Pride said.
"Private Eye is a funny horse. Once he is back in the field he just switches off. He will be fine, we will find another race for him."
The competitive nature of the Tramway Stakes suggests that checking out the latest racing odds will be crucial for the upcoming races.
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