Since arriving at Joe Pride’s stables Headley Grange has been a winner. The son of Exosphere has compiled ten wins and six placings from just 19 starts for the Warwick Farm-based trainer and he hopes that run can continue in the $3 million Big Dance at Royal Randwick on Melbourne Cup day.
Having not faired too well at the barrier draw on paper, Pride believes his charge can get conditions to suit come 2.20pm on Tuesday afternoon.
Pride is following the same training regime that has produced results all throughout the five-year-old’s campaign, including saluting in the $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes over Group 1 winner Gringotts last time out.
“He’s had a three-week gap which is what he had going into his previous run and that seemed to work really well for him, so we haven’t changed anything up,” Pride said.
“The step back to the mile is no problem for him and a little bit of wet ground at Randwick, if that hangs around for Tuesday, that would be a positive for him.”
Headley Grange has drawn barrier 16 before scratchings for hoop Adam Hyeronimus, but Pride believes that shouldn’t pose a problem come race day.
“I don’t think it will matter too much by that stage, we’ll be race five and we’ve had a lot of meetings here lately,” Pride said.
“I can only assume that probably the better ground is going to be out a bit wider so I’m not too worried.”
As to his galloper’s will to win, Pride hasn’t seen anything else in his tenure with the Randwick specialist. In five starts around the famous circuit, Headley Grange has had three wins and two seconds from just five spins.
“Since the time he landed in my stable, he won the first start I gave him,” Pride said.
“Particularly in the last 12 months if he doesn’t win he runs second, so he’s a very consistent horse.”
Headley Grange currently sits on the second line betting at $5 for Tuesday’s feature behind his last start victim Gringotts who is $3.30 favourite.
