Speculation was rife on track at Rosehill that Mazu would gain the remaining Everest slot, held by Yulong, which lost Private Harry to injury.
“I can’t confirm … or deny,” Pride said with a grin when asked about the rumour.
Headley Grange wins at Rosehill on Saturday.Credit: Getty Images
Pride was all smiles anyway, after Headley Grange defied a draw in 17, under a great ride from Adam Hyeronimus, to take out the $1.5 million Alan Brown (1400m). It gave the five-year-old an 11th win from 22 starts and doubled his prizemoney to almost $1.7 million.
“I haven’t had a horse surprise me like this in a long time,” Pride said.
“He didn’t surprise me today, but from where he’s come from, just working through the grades to get to this level. Because you have so many horses you think are going to deliver, and you tend to start curbing your expectations because so many don’t get there, but this bloke just does it.”
Headley Grange made a long run to wear down favourite Gringotts by a half-length. It gave Hyeronimus a stakes double after earlier winning on Shangri La Boy in the Gloaming.
Lloyd gets Gangsta on target
Trainer Michael Hawkes praised the ride of Zac Lloyd after he nursed Gangsta Granny to a group 3 Nivison (1200m) victory as part of four winners for the jockey at Rosehill.
Gangsta Granny, a $2.05 favourite, had to tow the field up to the leading pair before hitting the front inside the 200m and holding off Monte Supreme in a photo finish. Lloyd earlier had victories on Modella, State Of America and Roselyn’s Star.
Hawkes said the $2 million Invitation (1400m) for mares in two weeks at Randwick was the next target for Gangsta Granny, which was third in the Sheraco Stakes last start after a three-wide trip.
“He got into a lovely spot, and to be fair, he didn’t panic,” Hawkes said of Lloyd.
Zac Lloyd after winning on Gangsta Granny.Credit: Getty Images
“But he half nursed her and nursed her, and to her credit, her tenacity, she really wanted to hit the line and win.
“She’s tough, big and strong, and it was really good. She’s only going to improve and be better for the run.”
Hidden Motive scores emotional win
Kurrinda Bloodstock director Sean Driver fought back tears after the Nathan Doyle-trained Hidden Motive delivered the combination an upset win in the group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) to soften the blow of losing their chance in the Everest with Private Harry.
A $19 chance, Hidden Motive led under jockey Ash Morgan and was tough late to hold out Beadman, which was held up for a run, by a half-neck. It was part of a double for Morgan, who the Highway Handicap on Adolphus.
The success came after the Doyle-trained, Kurrinda Bloodstock part-owned Private Harry was withdrawn from next Saturday’s Everest because of a knee injury sustained in the Premiere Stakes. Driver said Private Harry would be out for 12 to 14 weeks.
“It’s been a tough two weeks,” Driver said. “We’ve been pretty grilled through social media. No fault of Nathan’s, no fault of the horse’s or mine with Private Harry. He’s at home in the box and he’s sore, and this one means a lot.
“A group 2-winning colt, where he’s going next, what stud wants him? Give Sean a buzz,” he quipped.
Doyle said the group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes would be the next target for Hidden Motive.
Ashley Morgan rides Hidden Motive to victory.Credit: Getty Images
“I think you’ve got to dare to dream,” Doyle said. “He’s by a group 1 winner, out of a group 1 winner. He’s worth probably a stack now, so if he can jam a group 1 somewhere, he would be worth a fortune.”
As for Private Harry returning for the autumn, Doyle said: “We’ll just put the horse first, do the right thing by him, make sure he’s in the best of care, take our time, and if he comes up, he comes up.”
Freedman eyes another legends race
Randwick trainer Michael Freedman may target the Callander-Presnell with Ohope after the Godolphin-owned colt claimed the $500,000 Tagg-Craig.
For a sixth consecutive Saturday, Freedman claimed a stakes win in Sydney, this time with Ohope overhauling Farnicle in the listed 1400m race for three-year-olds for a one and three quarter-length win with Tommy Berry aboard. The event is named after legendary race callers Ian Craig and John Tapp.
Freedman said he may now try Ohope in two weeks over a mile in Callander-Presnell, named after acclaimed racing writers Ken Callander and Max Presnell. He was also considering Melbourne races or a break to target races like the Randwick Guineas.
Earlier, favourite Marhoona finished three-quarters of a length third to Hidden Motive as favourite in the group 2 Roman Consul Stakes. Freedman said Berry indicated Marhoona might have felt the firm track and he was unsure if they would press on this campaign.
Shangri La Boy springs into contention
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Shangri La Boy is into a $4.50 second elect for the group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) after a commanding front-running win in the group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) on Saturday at just his third start.
Stepping up from a midweek super maiden victory at Rosehill over 1400m, the Pierro colt lead under Adam Hyeronimus and kicked clear late for a two-length win.
A half-brother to former star sprinter Storm Boy, Shangri La Boy had no trouble running out the trip and was behind only Attica ($3) in betting for the Spring Champion on October 25 at Randwick.
“He’s obviously got some great, true staying capabilities there,” co-trainer Adrian Bott said.
“He’s up to this grade very quickly in his career. This is his first racing preparation, just his third start. To get up quickly to 1800 metres and do that in such dominant fashion, that’s certainly encouraging.”
As for the Spring Champion, he said: “I think we have to, the manner in which he won that. That would have been the only concern coming here today. It was a good test because he was 1400 up to 1800 on a 10-day turnaround, so an excellent win in that regard.”
