Jason Collett produced a standout performance at Randwick on Saturday, completing a riding treble by steering Headley Grange to victory in the feature Civic Stakes (1400m).
After spending time in Queensland during the winter carnival, Collett wasted no time making an impact back in Sydney. He opened the card with a win on Callistemon in the Midway Handicap (1600m), followed by Lulumon in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1000m), before guiding Headley Grange to an authoritative Listed success.
“He’s a nice horse,” Collett said.
“The tempo of that race was different to last start. It was genuinely run. He has quickened off it and then he’s had to tough it out.
“He just found another gear. When they came to him at the 150 (metres) he went again so that’s a really good sign.”
Now an eight-time winner from 18 starts, Headley Grange appears to be peaking at the right time. Trainer Joe Pride is already eyeing the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
“Nice to see him step up to that higher grade today,” Pride said.
“That’s never easy to do in a high-pressure race with plenty of opposition.
“He’s come back particularly well this preparation and we will go to the South Grafton Cup next. We will try and qualify him for one of the ‘Dances’.”
Headley Grange has also shown a tendency to get worked up before races, but a pre-race tweak saw Collett jump aboard just before heading to the track—a change that proved effective.
“That’s what was needed and it worked. He stayed relaxed,” Collett noted.
Starting the favourite at $2.45, Headley Grange surged down the straight to fend off Welwal ($26), with Astero ($51) closing late to grab third, three-quarters of a length behind the runner-up.
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