JOCKEY Anthony Delpech has often sung the praises of Mary Slack’s five-year-old Headstrong and the game mare drew more compliments from SA’s log-leading rider when winning the Grade 3 Pointsettia Stakes over 1200m at Clairwood on Sunday.

Headstrong, beaten for pace when the whips started cracking in a speedy and competitive field, put her mind on the job and over the last 200m reeled in the leaders to win going away.

Anthony Delpech.

Delpech said: “She was outpaced when the race got serious about 400m out and when she got going there was no running room, so I had to switch her in to find a way through. She’s versatile, she’s a grinder and I love her. She’s pure heart!”

Headstrong is considered to be a little better on sand, but her easy victory over decent sprinters like Dance With Al and Romantic Moon will have Mike de Kock and his team considering a top sprint prize on turf like the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint at Scottsville as her mission this season.

Delpech said: “I think if she’s freshened for a race like that she will be a bit better, she was quiet today. The SA Fillies Sprint is an option, I think she will hold her own.”

Headstrong is by Pivotal from Rash and her record shows nine wins and six places from 19 starts.