Last December at Ascot, popular grey mare Admiration Express (My Admiration) nearly caused the upset result of the year when she charged home at odds of 100/1 in the G1 Northerly Stakes for second behind Victorian raider Light Infantry Man.

A model of consistency with 17 top four placed finishes from 18 starts, Joe Pride’s 4yo Exosphere gelding Headley Grange stepped up to black type race for the first time with instant success, winning the $200,000 Listed ATC Civic Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.