Think About It and Private Eye on track for The Everest
Joe Pride saddled up one runner at Randwick on Epsom Handicap day, but he took two Everest contenders to the races.
Think About It and Private Eye, nicknamed ‘Spud’ and ‘Spade’ respectively, both have slots in next month’s $20 million The Everest after the latter was secured by slot holders Max Whitby and Neil Werrett following his outstanding first-up win in The Shorts (1100m).
Keen to keep the sprinter’s mind sharp, Pride sent him to Randwick on Saturday with Think About It so both horses could absorb the big race day crowd and atmosphere.
Think About It got the job done with a first-up win in the Premiere Stakes (1200m) and Pride said the exercise was also beneficial for Private Eye.
“Spade and Spud both jumped in the Pride Racing float and came to Randwick on Saturday,” Pride said.
“One was there to race, and one was there to have a look around and a day out.
“Private Eye is great. He has been on the big stage before and he’s very straightforward.”
Pride was considering trialling Private Eye at Rosehill on Tuesday but has instead opted to wait for the Randwick session three days later, which will give him an eight-day turnaround into the feature sprint.
As was the case last year, the six-year-old will contest The Everest second-up as he bids to go one better than his close second to Giga Kick 12 months ago.
“Once he’s in form, he holds it that horse, so I’m very comfortable with where he’s at,” Pride said.
While Private Eye will be missing from Tuesday’s trial session, fellow Everest hopefuls Buenos Noches, In Secret and Overpass will all make appearances, while Shinzo will be trialling to secure owners Coolmore’s slot.
Mazu could also make a belated trip to Rosehill following his late scratching from the Premiere Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.
The gelding was found to be mildly lame shortly after arriving on course, but co-trainer Paul Snowden hoped it was an issue that could be quickly fixed by an equine chiropractor.
“It’s more of a chiropractic thing and he (equine chiropractor) will be there first thing in the morning to realign him,” Snowden said.
“I don’t think it’s going to hold us back.
“The ambition is going to be to trial him (on Tuesday), as long as he can fix that and pass some tests.”
More Racing News
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...
War Machine back in winning form at Caulfield
A great deal has transpired for War Machine over the past twelve months.On the equivalent weekend last year, the horse trained by Ben, Will, and Jd Hayes, War Machine, was competing in Sydney for The Everest.While the results didn't align with the Lindsay Park trainers' aspirations, War Machine had entered...
Saintly Dancer's Thousand Guineas triumph highlights Shinn's comeback
Jockey Blake Shinn has celebrated his first Group 1 win since recovering from a significant leg injury, as Saintly Dancer dictated terms from the front to capture the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.Shinn endured a fractured leg from a fall during last year's Melbourne Cup and made his return to competitive...