Joe Pride says he cannot wait for the Lightning Stakes at Flemington where he will see Eduardo again pitted against Nature Strip.
It will be Eduardo’s first trip back to Melbourne since Pride took over the training of the sprinter in 2020 after the rising nine-year-old started out with Cranbourne trainer Sarah Zschoke.
Eduardo won three of his 12 starts for Zschoke before joining Pride where the gelding’s record now stands at 10 wins from 24 starts and a bit over $5.6 million in prize money.
Included in his wins are the Group 1 The Galley and Group 1 Doomben 10,000 while his clashes with Nature Strip are worth the entrance fee alone.
“I can’t wait,” Pride said.
“Next Saturday I will be at Flemington watching him and I’m very excited.
“He has had a look at the straight in a former life and that’s what we’re counting on.
“I don’t think he cares where he races. He is just honest and consistent, and he will just be happy to see his mate Nature Strip there beside him.”
Pride hopes Eduardo is drawn beside Nature Strip when the final field and barriers are announced on Wednesday morning.
Eduardo has the pace early from the barriers, but regular rider Nash Rawiller can also be in a stalking position behind Nature Strip who is aiming for a second straight Lightning victory.
“We are going to wait and see what it looks like with the barrier draw and everything else,” Pride said.
“I leave it to Nash every time on race day, but this horse is a really a tough horse and we never want to take his best weapon away from him, which is his speed and his fight.
“It is going to be a fantastic race.”
Nature Strip heads the pre-acceptance market with TAB at $2.50 ahead of Eduardo ($4) and Home Affairs ($4.50) with Masked Crusader ($9) the only other runner at single figures.