Trainer Joe Pride offered his assessment of his three runners’ performances in the Group 2 $300,000 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
The Tramway Stakes culminated in a dramatic conclusion, with Headley Grange ultimately prevailing, while stablemate Attica finished strongly for third and Private Eye could only pass a single rival in the straight, ending up seventh.
Soothsayer appeared poised for victory when it surged ahead halfway down the stretch, but Pride observed Headley Grange closing the gap and maintained his confidence.
“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, carrying the odds of $3.80 and expertly ridden by Adam Hyeronimus, showcased his determination to win by overhauling Soothsayer ($16) by a mere nose. Attica ($12) also showed good late speed to secure third place, trailing by two lengths.
The favourite, Idle Flyer, backed into $2.45, experienced a slight fade in its run to finish fourth.
Hyeronimus commented that Headley Grange was exceptionally well-behaved prior to the race, which translated into 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 confessed he was uncertain about Headley Grange’s primary spring objective, though he is eager to defend 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 making ground rapidly at the finish, and Pride indicated 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 anticipated to lead or race prominently, but it experienced a slow start and settled at the back 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.”
With Headley Grange’s tenacious win, punters will be looking for the best Australian betting sites to back him in future races.