Peter Moody-trained Headway won today’s first Group 1 feature of the 2009 Derby Day, the Coolmore Stud Stakes in an exhillerating photo finish.

The classy filly put her head down on the line, winning by the smallest of margins a nose ahead of King Pulse with the Roman Consul Stakes winner Shellscrape in third.

Headway was ridden by in form jockey Luke Nolen, adding another Group 1 victory to his brilliant season. The $15 outsider had to work hard for the win, as the three placegetters were head-to-head leading up to the line, Shellscrape running tight in the middle of the first and second finishers.

Despite a strong run staying in contention up until the final few paces, star filly, the David Hayes-trained Irish Lights, coming off an impressive victory in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas failed to place. The drop back to 1200m from 1600m just didn’t suit her on the day.