Trainer Joe Pride’s 2024 The Everest pick: Why it’s a race between Private Eye, Bella Nipotina and I Wish I Win

Trainer Joe Pride is a believer that the most open $20 million The TAB Everest ever contested will won by one of three proven big-race sprinters – his stable star Private Eye, I Wish I Win or Bella Nipotina.

Trainer Joe Pride is a believer that the most open $20 million The TAB Everest ever contested will won by one of three proven big-race sprinters – his stable star Private Eye, I Wish I Win or Bella Nipotina.

Pride conceded Saturday’s dash for cash over the Royal Randwick 1200m course was arguably the most competitive since the race was introduced in 2017.

The Everest, which has Group 1 status for the first time, boasts an elite 12-horse sprint field that includes eight individual Group 1 winners and four talented three-year-olds.

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“This is a very confusing race, it’s impossible to line them up,’’ Pride said. “There are so many different form lines compared to previous years.

“But I’ve seen it so often with these big races, when the pressure is on, the tried and true horses who have done it before rise to the top.

“So, I’m coming back to I Wish I Win, Bella Nipotina and Private Eye – I reckon one of them will win it.’’

I Wish I Win has been the long-time TAB Fixed Odds favourite at $5 for The Everest with Bella Nipotina pressing at $6 while Private Eye is at $21.

Pride is used to Private Eye “flying under the radar” even though the sprinter has been placed in successive Everests – second to Giga Kick in 2022 and third to stablemate Think About Itlast year.

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“I think we will be racing on a soft track on Saturday and that suits Private Eye,’’ Pride said.

“Two years ago it started out a soft 7, got to a soft 6 for The Everest and he ran a close second.

“I think he is going as well as ever but I want him to settle a bit closer on Saturday.

“He has been getting too far back lately, he hasn’t been in his races, but his closing sectionals are as good as ever.’’

Private Eye is among 10 Pride-trained stable runners on Everest Day including Epsom Handicap hero Ceolwulf in the Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m).

It's Ceolwulf right down the outside in the TAB Epsom and he sails away to take the famous G1 mile for @SchofieldChad and @PrideRacing! 🏆@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/irirNeZGse

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 5, 2024

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Pride is banking on a rain-affected Randwick track – the course proper was rated a heavy 8 on Tuesday – and the likely presence of on-pacers like Major Beel and My Oberon to ensure Horse of the Year Pride Of Jenni doesn’t get her own way in front in the King Charles.

“I don’t think Pride Of Jenni and Fangirl are as good on a wet track but Ceolwulf is a swimmer,’’ Pride said.

“Ceolwulf is so exciting and he keeps getting better. He has weight-for-age acceleration.

“With Major Beel and My Oberon among the nominations, if they run they will be there on the speed and might be able to take the field up to Pride Of Jenni and not give her those easy sectionals in the middle stages where she gets away from everyone.’’

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The final field for the King Charles III Stakes will be declared on Wednesday but the Group 3 $2 million Sydney Stakes (1200m), which is essentially The Everest Consolation, has attracted a full field of 18 starters.

Pride has three entries in the Sydney Stakes including last year’s Everest winner Think About It and Mazu, who ran third in The Everest two years ago.

Think About It and Mazu have been joined by Overpass and Southport Tycoon as emergencies for The Everest in the event there is a scratching.

Pride conceded it was a shame Think About It was unlikely to get the chance to defend his Everest title but maintained the sprinter was going to be very hard to beat in the Sydney Stakes.

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“Think About It’s going great,’’ Pride said. “He just needs a bit of luck in running.

“Mazu is also in great form and the wetter the better for him. We will run Coal Crusher in that race, too.’’

Pride’s other Randwick runners include Stockman in the Group 3 ATC St Leger Stakes (2600m), Sounds Of Heaven and Lekvarte in the Group 3 Angst Stakes (1600m) and King Of The Castle and Estadio Mestalla in the Benchmark 88 Handicap (1400m).

Originally published as Trainer Joe Pride’s 2024 The Everest pick: Why it’s a race between Private Eye, Bella Nipotina and I Wish I Win