Headley Grange’s connections have every reason to favor Adam Hyeronimus, who has piloted the gelding to six wins in eight attempts, as they seek his optimum in Randwick’s All Aged Stakes.
The five-year-old began his fresh campaign sharply, railing home for fourth trailing Joliestar in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m) first-up and sustaining his closing effort into fifth behind Autumn Glow in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m).
Unfortunately, temperament issues derailed him last time in the Doncaster Mile (1600m), with pre-race jitters and loading troubles leading to seventh place.
Trainer Joe Pride is optimistic that reuniting with Hyeronimus will steady the gelding’s nerves for Saturday.
“Adam is back on, and Adam seems to get on really well with him and it’s the pre-race antics that cost him,” Pride said.
“Hopefully Adam can make a fair difference for us on Saturday.
“He is capable at his best. In the weight-for-age Canterbury Stakes over 1300 metres he ran a terrific race first-up and it’s a similar set-up here. It’s around that trip and weight-for-age, so I think he can be competitive. But I want to see him do the little things right.”
Pride characterized stablemate Headley Grange as “a kid’s pony” but highlighted his propensity to fire up on racedays.
Alongside Hyeronimus, who secured six wins including the Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) last spring despite starting from 17, Pride will introduce pacifiers pre-race.
“It’s the little percentages we’re trying to play,” he said.
“They’re pretty simple creatures, horses. You’ve got to continue changing things for them if they’re doing things wrong. If they’re not, don’t change anything.
“It’s not an easy task on Saturay. It’s a hot field. As good an All Aged field as I can remember seeing, to be honest.”
From the wide draw of 14 in the All Aged Stakes (1400m), Pride anticipates Headley Grange will move forward to occupy a position in the leading group.
The strength of the field, as Pride describes, is evident with just Headley Grange and Angel Capital unproven at Group 1 level, joined by prior winners Jimmysstar, Magic Time and Giga Kick for the Saturday showdown.
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