Joe Pride confident ‘unlucky horse’ Private Eye can bounce back in TJ Smith Stakes

Joe Pride says a change of luck is overdue for Private Eye but it may not come for the Group 1-winning sprinter in the TJ Smith Stakes.

Private Eye, described by his trainer as an unlucky horse despite winning more than $10m prizemoney, is set to run a competitive race in the Group 1 $3m TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday – provided he gets a suitable track surface.

Trainer Joe Pride is adamant Private Eye is ready for another giant-killing effort but he is wary of the forecast wet weather.

Pride said punters should ignore Private Eye’s unplaced run in The Galaxy last start when nothing went right for the sprinter.

• TJ Smith Stakes runner-by-runner guide

“Private Eye wasn’t helped by a bad gate and I certainly don’t blame Nash (Rawiller) for the ride,’’ Pride said.

“The horse didn’t jump as fast as he can and got back in an awkward spot. When you are stuck on the circle at Rosehill there, out deep four and five-wide the whole way with topweight, it was always going to be tough.

“But he absolutely loves the Randwick 1200m, it’s the perfect track and distance for him.

“I’m really happy with him but I doubt he will be running for any other reason except the weather.

“I won’t run him on a track that is worse than a Soft 6.’’

Private Eye (left) ran a close second to Imperatriz in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes in February. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Private Eye is a dual Group 1 winner and dual The Everest placegetter but despite his outstanding career, Pride regards the gelding as “an unlucky horse”.

“You can make an argument he could have won so many more races,’’ Pride said.

“In the Stradbroke Handicap a couple of years ago, he was unlucky. He was a bit stiff in both The Everest, then in the Winners Stakes last year he was run down in the last stride.

“Poor bloke, he deserves a change of luck. He’s going well and we just have to hope we don’t get this rain that is forecast.’’

• Collett confident Sunshine can rise to occasion in TJ Smith

If the rain does come, Pride has proven wet-trackers Mazu and Coal Crusher ready to run competitive races in the TJ Smith Stakes.

Mazu did miss The Galaxy when his blood picture wasn’t quite right but Pride said the gelding has trained on well leading into Saturday’s race.

“If we get a heavy track then Mazu will like it, he is an absolute swimmer,’’ Pride said.

“He’s up to the best sprinters around on wet tracks.

“He wasn’t quite right for The Galaxy but he has come out of that bouncing. I’m confident he can run really well.’’’

Coal Crusher goes to the TJ Smith Stakes after his fifth to Bandi’s Boy in the Star Kingdom Stakes last week.

“I like backing up with horses when they get a wet track, it’s a proven formula,’’ Pride said. “Coal Crusher loves wet tracks and is a very fit horse.’’

Pride bullish with first Derby runner

Ceolwulf, named after a King that reigned centuries ago during the Dark Ages, is trainer Joe Pride’s first runner in the nation’s premier three-year-old classic, the Group 1 $2m ATC Australian Derby (2400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

“I can’t remember if I have had a Derby runner,’’ Pride said.

“I’ve had a few Oaks runners but Ceolwulf is my first in the Derby and we are really looking forward to the race.

“I’m going to make it one out of one – you only need one to make it a winner.’’

• Australian Derby runner-by-runner guide

Pride has a quiet optimism about Ceolwulf’s chances after his close second to Derby favourite Riff Rocket in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas last start.

The Warwick Farm-based trainer has been planning Ceolwulf’s Derby campaign for months and said the colt is peaking for the classic.

“I love this horse, he’s a really nice colt and he’s thriving at the moment,’’ Pride said.

“Of all our runners on Saturday, he is the one we are going into with the most confidence.

“He’s had the perfect lead-up, he was strong late in the Guineas and there is a sense of timing about him going into the Derby.

“This horse can stay and this will be a very different race over 2400m around Randwick compared to the 2000m at Rosehill.’’

Ceolwulf will be Joe Pride’s first runner in the Australian Derby. Picture: Bradley Photos

Even the likelihood of a wet track doesn’t deter Pride.

“He’s by Tavistock so he should relish it,’’ the trainer said.

“Although my horse lacks a bit of race craft, the wet track is a bit of an equaliser. I feel he has a great profile doing into the Derby.’’

Tavistock, the Cambridge Stud stallion, is a noted staying influence and is the sire of 2016 ATC Australian Derby winner Tavago.

Ceolwulf is another promising stayer by Tavistock and the sire is the clue to the Pride-trained three-year-old’s unusual name.

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Tavistock is a market town near Devon in the south of England in an area called Wessex that was once a kingdom in the Anglo-Saxon period known as the Dark Ages between 410-1066AD.

Ceolwulf reigned as the King of Wessex for 14 years from 597AD until his death in 611AD.

Pride’s resolute seven-year-old gelding Stockman is also by Tavistock and is chasing his 10th win at his 56th attempt in the Group 2 $300,000 Chairman’s Quality (2600m).

“I was thinking about running Stockman in the Tancred Stakes last week but I pulled him out of that race to wait for this race,’’ Pride said.

“I’m glad I did now because it looks like Stockman will get the wet track he likes in the Chairman’s.’’

Pride’s promising filly Heaven Bound is still a maiden after seven starts but she is showing staying potential and gets her chance to secure a start in the ATC Australian Oaks with a competitive effort in the Group 3 $250,000 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m).

Originally published as Joe Pride confident ‘unlucky horse’ Private Eye can bounce back in TJ Smith Stakes