Joe Pride was left puzzled after a rare off-day from the usually reliable Headley Grange, but the gelding quickly redeemed himself with a strong win at Rosehill.
Last month, Pride had taken the gelding north for the South Grafton Cup (1600m), a key qualifier for the Big Dance, where he could manage only sixth despite entering the race on the back of consecutive Sydney victories.
Pride believed the firm track was to blame, a theory that was validated when Headley Grange relished Saturday’s heavy 10 surface to post his ninth career 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.”
Already a Listed winner two starts ago, Headley Grange will get another shot at black-type level in the near future, with Pride considering a return to a Big Dance qualifying race ahead of November.
“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.”
Ridden confidently by Adam Hyeronimus, Headley Grange ($3.70) scored by two lengths over Diamond Diesel ($20), while Pride also trained third-placed Estadio Mestalla ($5).