Private Eye shows his class in the 2025 PB Lawrence Stakes

Private Eye’s Melbourne raid has proven a masterstroke, with the seasoned campaigner scoring a strong victory for trainer Joe Pride and connections.

After Sydney’s heavy rain, Pride took the option of avoiding the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick, instead giving his charge a Warwick Farm hit-out before aiming for Caulfield.

The plan came off perfectly as Private Eye claimed the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) on Saturday in front-running style.

Starting favourite at $3.10, the gelding travelled boldly under Nash Rawiller and drew clear in the straight to win by two lengths ahead of Desert Lightning ($12), with Here To Shock ($6) close up in third.

Now an eight-year-old, Private Eye was making only his second appearance for 2025 after running third in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm earlier this winter.

Pride noted that race fitness from Queensland, combined with polished trials, had him primed for success. His confidence was further boosted by how the horse presented upon arrival at Caulfield.

“It was a little bit like In Flight when she won here,” Pride said.

“When I saw him get off the float, I grew in confidence. When your horses travel away, you need to see them travel well, and he looked magnificent.

“He’s an amazing athlete and that was his 13th interstate trip. He’s very tough and carried a good bit of residual fitness from Queensland.

“It was only his second start for 2025. It would easily be the lightest he has been raced in some time and maybe that has something to do with his good form at the moment.”

The Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 30 looms as a possible target, though Pride stressed flexibility in planning.

“I wouldn’t rule out coming back for the Memsie, but there are plenty of races there in Sydney also,” Pride said. “We’ll hopefully pick something off and hopefully on a better track than we got today.”

Rawiller shared that there was a minor hiccup before the start when Private Eye knocked his head in the barriers but said the horse showed no signs of trouble once cleared.

“Another horse got a bit agitated, and he took a dive and hit his head,” Rawiller said.

“I backed him out and got him checked, but I was confident he was well enough to race, I just wanted to double check.

“He was really switched on today and he travelled really well from the time he left the gates. It’s full credit to the team at home as he’s got his zest for racing.”

If you’re interested in betting on the P B Lawrence Stakes, the latest odds and offers can be found at Australia’s leading betting sites.