‘He’s going better than he’s ever gone’: Private Eye thrills trainer Joe Pride ahead of 2025 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm

Trainer Joe Pride says his $11.9 million prizemoney earner Private Eye won’t be going around to make up the numbers when he contests Saturday’s Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm.

Private Eye wins the Festival Stakes at Rosehill Gardens in November last year. Picture: Bradley Photos

Trainer Joe Pride maintains Private Eye is “going as well as ever” after the $11.9 million prizemoney earner cruised through a crucial barrier trial at Warwick Farm on Monday.

Private Eye, who was trialling without blinkers, was kept wide and under a tight hold by jockey Nash Rawiller as he finished fifth behind Glenbower in his 800m heat.

Pride was using the Warwick Farm hitout – the gelding’s third barrier trial this preparation – to ready his evergreen sprinter for a comeback in Saturday’s Group 1 $1 million Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm.

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“Private Eye is going super and was only out to have a quiet trial,’’ Pride said.

“He is thriving. I said to Jamie (Walter, part-owner) the other day, ‘I’m going to say something outlandish here but I think he is going better than he has ever gone’.

“I realise that is a stupid statement to make about a horse of his age but Nash came in after riding him and said something similar.

“Private Eye’s an amazing horse, he has more than done his job, but to still have him around at his age is great – and he’s not around to make up the numbers, he is going really well.’’

In early TAB Fixed Odds betting for the Kingsford Smith Cup, Private Eye is at $11 behind brilliant mare Joliestar at $3.50.

He's still got it! 🙌

Private Eye and @nashhot take the G3 Festival Stakes at Rosehill!@PrideRacing | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/aiTnTnIKLt

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 30, 2024

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Private Eye hasn’t raced since finishing fourth to the Bjorn Baker-trained Robusto in the Group 2 The Ingham last December but he does have a very good first-up record and Pride has specifically prepared the sprinter for Saturday’s race.

Robusto, who was in career-best form last summer with his win in The Ingham and second placings in the Festival Stakes (to Private Eye), The Buffering and The Lakes, impressed winning the first heat over 1208m of the Warwick Farm trials session by nearly three lengths.

Originally published as ‘He’s going better than he’s ever gone’: Private Eye thrills trainer Joe Pride ahead of 2025 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm