This was the perspective of trainer Joe Pride regarding his stable’s three participants in the Group 2 $300,000 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The Tramway Stakes provided a thrilling contest, with Headley Grange finding a way to win, while stablemate Attica mounted a strong challenge for third, and Private Eye could only advance past one competitor in the stretch to finish seventh.

Soothsayer appeared destined for victory when it forged ahead halfway down the straight, but Pride could see Headley Grange closing the margin, and the trainer maintained his belief.

“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), under the reins of Adam Hyeronimus, demonstrated its sheer will to win by wearing down Soothsayer ($16) by a nose, with Attica ($12) finishing with determination to grab third, two lengths behind.

Idle Flyer, who was the $2.45 favourite, saw its run slightly diminish to finish fourth.

Hyeronimus remarked that Headley Grange was on its best behaviour before the race, and its performance reflected that.

“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 conceded he was uncertain about Headley Grange’s primary spring target, 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 its best work at the finish, and Pride stated that the horse is unlikely to compete 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 prominently, but it started slowly 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.”

Given Headley Grange’s hard-fought win, exploring online bookmakers for future races is a sensible step.