‘As good as he’s ever gone’: Trainer Joe Pride chases a start in The Everest for Private Eye

Private Eye could become the first sprinter in nearly 50 years to go back-to-back in the Group 2 $1 million The Shorts (1100m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Private Eye (green and black cap) wins The Shorts last year at Randwick. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

Private Eye could become the first sprinter in nearly 50 years to go back-to-back in the Group 2 $1 million The Shorts (1100m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer Joe Pride is adamant Private Eye is going as well as ever and can clinch a third start in The Everest if he wins Saturday’s feature sprint.

The Shorts was first run in 1867 and only five horses have had repeat wins in the race but none since King’s Favourite in 1976-77.

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But Pride saw enough in Private Eye’s fast-finishing fourth when resuming behind I Am Me in the Concorde Stakes two weeks ago to make a successful defence of The Shorts title.

“I thought Private Eye was fantastic the other day,’’ Pride said.

“The Concorde Stakes was run on a lightning fast track and his sectionals were as good as he’s ever gone. Jay (Ford, jockey) was really, really happy with him.’’

Private Eye, winner of 10 of his 36 starts and more than $10.6 million prizemoney, is at $5.50 for The Shorts behind only I Am Me at $3.60 favourite.

What a finish!@nashhot and @cmaherracing combine to win the G3 Concorde Stakes with I Am Me, and it's a Maher quinella with Bella Nipotina in second place! pic.twitter.com/9S20wni02u

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 7, 2024

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Pride is confident another competitive showing from Private Eye on Saturday will convince a slot-holder to lock in the seven-year-old gelding for a third attempt at The Everest after finishing second to Giga Kick in 2022 and his third placing to stablemate Think About It last year.

“Private Eye’s a tried and true quality horse that has come back as well as ever,’’ Pride said.

“Think About It has maybe got a cloud hanging over him because of his disappointing last preparation but this horse at this time of year just comes up every time.

“Private Eye is robust, solidly built and needs racing to get to his peak. He (Private Eye) certainly can win an Everest, he just needs that ride like they all do on the day.’’

Pride has four of the 12 starters in The Shorts with Mazu at $9.50, Dragonstone a $26 chance and Coal Crusher rated at $34.

Mazu, an Everest minor placegetter two years ago, looked sharp in a recent Randwick barrier trial when he led throughout and held off Stefi Magnetica and Think About It.

1⃣ Mazu
2⃣ Stefi Magnetica
3⃣ Think About It

A tight finish to the opening trial at Randwick on Monday featuring @PrideRacing's reigning #TABEverest winner. Behind the placings were the @cwallerracing crew Fangirl, Scarlet Oak and Roots. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/74GY8Qur0w

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) September 8, 2024

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Pride also has boom stayer Ceolwulf primed for the Group 3 $250,000 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m).

Ceolwulf, runner-up in the Rosehill Guineas and ATC Australian Derby behind the ill-fated Riff Rocket earlier during autumn, has had two runs back from a spell and was particularly impressive winning over the Rosehill 1500m course last start.

Champion jockey James McDonald rode Ceolwulf for the first time at Rosehill and was so impressed he wanted to stay on the gelding for the Kingston Town Stakes.

Ceolwulf lets down powerfully under a smart @mcacajamez ride to win second-up for @PrideRacing 👊 pic.twitter.com/Iv1oOrVFjP

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 31, 2024

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McDonald also put Ceolwulf through his paces with a tick-over trial win at Warwick Farm last Friday.

“In reality, I think the autumn will be where Ceolwulf will be at his best but he’s a bloody good horse,’’ Pride said.

“It’s a vote of confidence from James that he wanted to keep the ride and the horse will appreciate getting out to 2000m on Saturday.

“I’ve nominated Ceolwulf for just about everything this spring – Epsom Handicap, The Metropolitan, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate – because I just don’t know where his ‘ceiling’ is yet.’’

ICYMI: Last-start winner Ceolwulf was impressive again in this morning's opening trial at Warwick Farm 🔥@PrideRacing | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/QohDAUefDd

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 13, 2024

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At Newcastle on Friday, Pride’s promising mare City Of Lights, a half-sister to all-time great Winx, is chasing her first stakes success in the Group 3 $250,000 Tibbie Stakes (1400m).

City Of Lights, a five-year-old mare by Japanese superhorse Deep Impact out of Winx’s dam Vegas Showgirl, has won four of her eight starts and is already a valuable potential broodmare but her value will increase exponentially if she can add some black type to her record this season.

Pride’s ageless stayer Stockman continues his spring carnival preparation in the Group 3 $250,000 Cameron Handicap (1400m).

Originally published as ‘As good as he’s ever gone’: Trainer Joe Pride chases a start in The Everest for Private Eye