A rare below-par performance from the ever-consistent Headley Grange left trainer Joe Pride perplexed, but the gelding bounced back in style at Rosehill on Saturday.

Headley Grange had travelled north last month for the South Grafton Cup (1600m), a pathway to the Big Dance, but could only finish sixth after back-to-back Sydney victories.

Pride suspected the firm track was the culprit, a belief that proved correct as the gelding thrived on the heavy 10 surface to register his ninth win in the National Jockeys Trust Handicap (1500m).

“I’m just glad to see him bounce back,” Pride said.

“The other day was a head-scratcher until I saw how well he pulled up and how he’d go today, so I’m going to say it was the firm track.

“I really felt that track was too hard for him and I wouldn’t run him on a surface that firm again. He doesn’t have to have them this wet but he enjoys tracks with the sting out of them.”

A Listed winner earlier this preparation, Pride is planning another tilt at stakes level and hopes to find a suitable Big Dance qualifying race as the spring approaches.

“At some point I probably want to give him another go at a Big Dance qualifier but I’m going to have to map something out and work out where to go,” he said.

“I’m not sure where his ceiling is. I don’t think he’s a serious Group horse but I think he’s a really nice horse. He has already won one black-type race and I’m sure there’s plenty more to come.”

With Adam Hyeronimus in the saddle, Headley Grange ($3.70) cruised to a two-length victory over Diamond Diesel ($20), with stablemate Estadio Mestalla ($5) running third.