This was how trainer Joe Pride described his stable trio’s efforts in the Group 2 $300,000 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
The Tramway produced a thrilling finish with Headley Grange finding a way to while his stablemate Attica ran on strongly for third and Private Eye passed only one horse in the straight to finish seventh.
Soothsayer looked certain to win when he broke clear half way down the straight but Pride could see Headley Grange giving chance and the trainer kept the faith.
“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), ridden by Adam Hyeronimus, demonstrated his fierce will to win when he wore down Soothsayer ($16) to score by a nose with Attica ($12) warming to his task late to finish third, two lengths away.
Idle Flyer was backed into $2.45 favouritism and faded slightly on her run to finish fourth.
Hyeronimus said Headley Grange was on his best behaviour before the race and ran accordingly.
“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 admitted he was unsure what Headley Grange’s main spring target was although he is keen to try and 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 doing his best work on the line and Pride said he is unlikely to run the horse 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 lead or race on speed but he was slow away 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.”
