Pride declares sprinter has his Eye in
After watching Giga Kick run past Private Eye in a recent barrier trial and space him by almost four lengths, the latter’s trainer Joe Pride turned away utterly satisfied.
The hitout was never about the finishing result for his laidback sprinter, it was only ever about the start.
“The only thing you need to watch for in a Private Eye trial is if he jumps out of the gates well, then it’s a good trial,” Pride said.
“When he’s going well, he pings out of the gates and then he just chills.
“He’s a lovely, relaxed horse who knows when it’s race day and I’m happy with that.”
In that vein, Pride is heading to Randwick brimming with confidence as Private Eye prepares for a first-up showdown with 2022 The Everest winner Giga Kick in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m).
The latter is a $2.90 favourite while Private Eye has been a slight market drifter out to $6.
Both sprinters boast outstanding fresh records, and Pride has warned punters to under-estimate last year’s Everest third placegetter at their peril.
“What you saw between him and Giga Kick in the trial will look very different on Saturday,” Pride said.
“If you showed 100 people that trial, 99 of them would tell you Giga Kick would beat Private Eye. I’ve got a different idea of it.
“He’s a good horse and he will run terrific. I know when this horse is going good, he makes it very obvious, and he’s going good.”
Jay Ford will be having his third race ride on Private Eye, although it has been a while between drinks with the hoop last partnering him three years ago.
Pride wants to see his charge put into the race from a midfield draw and says on paper, the speed looks strong enough for him to take a trail.
“He will bounce out and be positive,” Pride said.
“We don’t want to drag him back, he hates being dragged back Private Eye. He will be up there in the contest and Jay can just get him comfortable.”
Pride will also saddle up Dragonstone in the Concorde, reporting the gelding has returned in good order and can run a “cheeky race”.
More Racing News
Augustus and Desert Hero debut in Flemington feature
While the Australian Cup Prelude at Flemington doesn't carry the weight of the day's opening races, it has the potential to highlight future stars for major events ahead.Ciaron Maher will launch two newcomers from overseas in the Saturday 2000m race – Augustus and Desert Hero.Desert Hero already has Australian experience,...
Robbie Griffiths plans VRC Sires' Produce Stakes tilt with Almost An Angel
For the youngsters, the VRC Sires' Produce Stakes provides the debut opportunity to tackle a genuine journey.Now that the Blue Diamond Stakes, Victoria's top juvenile prize, has been run and captured last month, attention shifts for the fast two-year-olds to the Golden Slipper up in Sydney.Robbie Griffiths, however, set his...
Ipswich Friday features prepared Sir Maurice
With an advantageous claim on weight and a competitor set for a win, Jack Bruce is eager for Sir Maurice to perform at Ipswich this coming Friday.Marking his fifth run this campaign, the five-year-old offspring of champion Japanese sire Maurice enters the Great Northern Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200m) for an...
Blinkers and McDonald for Hidrix in key Todman Stakes before Golden Slipper
Hidrix, once the top pick for the Golden Slipper, faces two major tweaks for his engagement in the Todman Stakes at Randwick: blinkers fitted and James McDonald in the saddle.Although McDonald guided stable companion Confederation during the Canonbury Stakes (1100m) Hidrix won and the Silver Slipper (1100m), he'll switch to...
Filly Caffe Florian emerges as next talent for Richard Litt
Though Richard Litt runs a modest team in numbers, he has proven adept at pinpointing quality performers.Responsible for training dual Group 1 champion Castelvecchio and Profondo's 2021 Spring Champion Stakes success, the Warwick Farm conditioner now seems to hold a fresh prospect in developing filly Caffe Florian.The three-year-old by Snitzel...
Waller's entrants set for All-Star Mile at Flemington
Leading handler Chris Waller embraces the All-Star Mile format since its promotion to Group 1.Launched back in 2019, the All-Star Mile moved between key Melbourne venues and mirrored Japan's Arima Kinen by letting the public choose their top pick.Changes were implemented in later years, and Waller entered sparingly.Securing Group 1...
Mark Zahra backs Tentyris to overcome weight in Newmarket
Mark Zahra, the jockey, doesn't see the allocated weight for Tentyris as a barrier to the colt capturing the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.To win the Group 1 1200m event at Flemington on Saturday, Tentyris must replicate the weight record set by Ajax back in 1938.The 57kg impost matches what Fastnet...
Freedman eyes Ninja's mile potential in Randwick Guineas
Michael Freedman counts on Ninja getting forward in the run as an essential element boosting his shot at the Group One Randwick Guineas.Unlike key challengers Autumn Boy and Attica, who prefer to come from off the pace, Ninja showed his flexibility in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) by tracking the pacesetter...
Experienced Coal Crusher set for Newcastle Stakes challenge
If Coal Crusher maintains his strong connection with the Newcastle venue, he could provide Joe Pride with an excellent beginning to his weekend on a prominent regional racing occasion.On a quick six-day freshen-up from his Liverpool City Cup (1300m) defeat at Randwick, the gelding lines up in Friday's Group 3...
Rawiller's decision spotlights Lady Shenandoah's Canterbury Stakes bid
With Ciaron Maher readying Gringotts for his seasonal reappearance in the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick, another jockey has accidentally boosted the credentials of a prominent rival entrant.Nash Rawiller built an impressive alliance with Gringotts late in his previous campaign, notching successive wins in the Big Dance and The Gong.They were...