Joe Pride is eager for Private Eye to be sent forward in the Shannon Stakes, asserting that the veteran galloper will be a significant challenge if he gets his preferred racing style.
After resuming with a strong second in the Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield, where he raced handy, the gelding settled further back from a wide barrier in the Tramway Stakes and was unable to make an impression.
However, Pride anticipates a different scenario from gate three in Saturday’s 1500-metre Rosehill contest.
“It has been a long time since he’s raced well from off the pace, and this is a horse who came from nearly last to win an Epsom and from dead-last to win a Queensland Guineas,” Pride said.
“He was a different horse in the early part of his life. Now he’s a bit of a flat track bully and likes to get on-speed with no horses in front of him.
“I think he’ll get the right scenario there on Saturday.”
Private Eye’s last three wins, all achieved while carrying significant weight, saw him race close to the pace. These included last year’s Moonga and Lawrence Stakes, both over 1400m at Caulfield, and the 2024 Festival Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill over the same course and distance as Saturday’s race.
If he can gain a similar track position, Pride predicts he will be tough to beat, especially with a weight burden only two kilograms heavier than the favourite, Skyhook.
“I was giggling to myself thinking if the real Private Eye turns up, some of these horses won’t see which way he goes,” Pride said.
“I could point to three or four runs from his last ten, maybe more, that would win this race.
“I think it’s just a matter of him jumping, putting himself in a good spot, and he’ll take care of the rest.”
Stablemate Estadio Mestalla is also scheduled to run in the Shannon Stakes (1500m) and will be expected to improve on his unplaced first-up performance behind Skyhook.
At eight years of age, he is a year younger than Private Eye. While he may lack his barn mate’s top-tier class, he has provided his connections with a remarkable journey, accumulating over $1.7 million in prize money.
“I wouldn’t write him off. He’s a tough horse,” Pride commented. “He doesn’t win that often, but he runs so many seconds in good races. He’s never far away and I don’t think he’ll be far away on Saturday.”
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