Trainer Joe Pride will make a final call on Friday morning regarding whether early Missile Stakes favourite Private Eye will take his place in Saturday’s field or instead head to the Warwick Farm trials.
Private Eye has been well-supported in betting, firming from $3.30 into $2.60, but Pride is wary of the heavy Randwick track and predicted rain that may compromise the start of his preparation.
“I feel like he’s in for a good preparation and while I think he looks a good thing in that race, I’m not sure I want to kick him off on a really heavy track,” Pride said.
With Randwick already rated a heavy 9 and more rain forecast, Pride is considering alternative plans, which include the Winx Stakes or a trip to Caulfield for the P B Lawrence Stakes.
“There is a good chance he will be at the trials on Friday instead but I will make a decision on Friday morning,” he said.
Rainfall on raceday is the biggest concern, with Pride pointing out that such conditions often cause the track to break down quickly during the meeting itself.
“Wet tracks to run on are so different when the rain is three or four days before a race as opposed to rain on race days,” he explained.
“Unfortunately, I’m not going to be able to wait and say, ‘oh, I’m going to pull him out now’. He has to go to the trials on Friday if he doesn’t race.”
The Missile Stakes kicks off Sydney’s black-type racing season, followed by the Winx Stakes two weeks later.
Pride has high expectations should Private Eye take his place this Saturday. “Could any other horse in that race do what he’s done in his life?” he asked.
“He is clearly the best horse in the race and he’s not even penalised for it because it’s set weights and penalties and he hasn’t won a Group One in the last twelve months or so.”
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