Trainer Joe Pride has identified two key races for Headley Grange this spring, and after an unlucky run in the first, the trainer believes the sprinter has a genuine chance to perform strongly in the second.

The Group 1 winner is scheduled to compete in Saturday’s $3 million Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) at Randwick. His prior start saw him finish ninth in the Alan Brown Stakes (1400m), where he was held up and unable to find a clear path in the concluding stages.

“He had no luck at all in the Alan Brown. It didn’t pan out for him,” Pride commented.

“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 take over riding duties from Adam Hyeronimus, who is currently recovering from injury. Lloyd has been in exceptional form, maintaining a strike rate of just over 25 per cent when riding for the stable.

Stablemate Coal Crusher is also set to run, continuing his campaign towards The Hunter (1300m), a race he has contested for the last three years, winning in 2023 and 2025, and placing second in 2024.

The nine-year-old gelding is coming off a poor showing in the Sydney Stakes (1200m), but Pride has advised punters to disregard that result.

“He normally runs well in the Sydney Stakes, and he didn’t this year, but I can see why he didn’t,” Pride revealed.

“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 is set to ride Coal Crusher from barrier four, while Headley Grange will jump from gate 10.

Consider these betting markets for the Russell Balding Stakes.