It did not take long after Private Eye’s win in Saturday’s Group 2 The Shorts for the explosive gelding to be locked in for a spot in this year’s The Everest, with the Joe Pride-trained gelding the sixth confirmed starter in the $20 million event.
Private Eye will represent Max Whitby and Neil Werrett in the 1200-metre sprint at Randwick on October 14.
The son of Al Maher finished second to Giga Kick in last year’s The Everest and Pride said after Saturday’s impressive win at Rosehill that he is confident he has him back to his best after a below-par autumn campaign.
“I’ve trained him a bit differently this time in, I haven’t been too hard on him and I’d be surprised if he didn’t improve significantly at his next couple of runs,” Pride said.
“(There’s) a bit of thinking to do whether we go to the Premiere with him or straight to The Everest, but we’ll take a deep breath and have a think about that.”
Pride now has two runners in the world’s richest sprint with Private Eye joining Stradbroke Handicap winner, Think About It, who will run for Newgate Farm and GPI.
Others confirmed for the 12-horse The Everest are Giga Kick (representing James Harron), I Wish I Win (Trackside Media), Mazu (The Star & Arrowfield) and Sunshine In Paris (Aquis).