Trainer Joe Pride had earmarked two key races for Headley Grange this spring, and after an unfortunate outing in the first, he believes the sprinter has a strong chance of redemption in the second.
The Group 1 victor is slated to compete in Saturday’s $3 million Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) at Randwick. His previous start saw him finish ninth in the Alan Brown Stakes (1400m), where interference during the race prevented him from getting a clear run in the straight.
“He had no luck at all in the Alan Brown. It didn’t pan out for him,” Pride stated.
“He was held up for a run and didn’t get a look at them. I thought he went enormous.
“I love him on the fresh side. He’s three weeks’ between runs around this trip, which he gets again, and he loves it. He’ll be hard to beat.”
Zac Lloyd will partner Headley Grange, taking over from the injured Adam Hyeronimus. Lloyd has been performing exceptionally well, boasting a strike rate exceeding 25 per cent for the stable.
Stablemate Coal Crusher is also heading towards another attempt at The Hunter (1300m), a race he has participated in for the last three years, securing victories in 2023 and 2025, and a second place in 2024.
The nine-year-old gelding is coming off a disappointing last-place finish in the Sydney Stakes (1200m), but Pride is urging followers to disregard that performance.
“He normally runs well in the Sydney Stakes, and he didn’t this year, but I can see why he didn’t,” Pride explained.
“He had a torrid run and once he gets a check – he’s my horse and I can say what I want about him – he’s a sook. He’s a princess. He got a check, and he just said, ‘that’ll do me. Tools down’.”
“He’s got a better draw Saturday where he should be able to bounce on speed.
“If he’s on track to win the Hunter again, he’ll do what he’s done in this race in the past and run really well.”
Andrew Adkins is booked for Coal Crusher from barrier four, while Headley Grange will start from gate 10.
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