Trainer Joe Pride had set two primary targets for Headley Grange this spring, and following a difficult experience in the first of those races, he considers the sprinter a genuine contender for the second.
The Group 1 winner is slated to participate in Saturday’s $3 million Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) at Randwick. His previous start resulted in a ninth-place finish in the Alan Brown Stakes (1400m), a race where he was hampered by interference and could not secure a clear passage in the straight.
“He had no luck at all in the Alan Brown. It didn’t pan out for him,” stated Pride.
“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 assume riding duties from Adam Hyeronimus, who is currently sidelined with an injury. Lloyd has been in outstanding form, boasting a strike rate of over 25 per cent when partnering horses for the stable.
Barn mate Coal Crusher is also scheduled to compete, continuing his preparation for another tilt at The Hunter (1300m). This Newcastle feature event has been a consistent target for the gelding over the past three years, with wins in 2023 and 2025, and a runner-up finish in between.
The nine-year-old is coming off a poor performance in the Sydney Stakes (1200m), but Pride has advised punters to disregard that run.
“He normally runs well in the Sydney Stakes, and he didn’t this year, but I can see why he didn’t,” Pride commented.
“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 has been booked for Coal Crusher, starting from barrier four, while Headley Grange will jump from gate 10.
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