After spectacular Flemington win last week Private Eye has become the 11th horse into $15m The Everest

Following a brilliant straight track win at Flemington last Saturday Private Eye has become the 11th horse to be included in the $15m TAB The Everest field.

Private Eye and Josh Parr streak away with the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington. Picture: George Sal–Racing Photos via Getty Images

Trainer Joe Pride has two sprinters into the $15m The TAB Everest with Private Eye gaining a start in the world’s richest turf race.

Inglis rebounded from the disappointment of Snapdancer’s withdrawal due to a hoof injury earlier in the week by confirming Private Eye for their slot on Thursday afternoon.

Private Eye, winner of the Epsom Handicap last year, made a compelling case for Everest inclusion with his brilliant first-up win in the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington last Saturday.

“He’s such a high quality horse and he’s forced his way into the field,’’ Pride said.

“My job now is to keep him nice and fresh and have him sprint well second-up which shouldn’t be hard as he has come back from Melbourne in great order.

“As Private Eye has gotten older, he has become a lot sharper. He has better race sense and is more versatile.’’

Private Eye joins stablemate Eduardo in The Everest with only slot-holder Godolphin still to announce their runner to complete the elite 12-horse field for the rich Royal Randwick sprint on October 15.

Inglis Bloodstock chief executive Sebastian Hutch said the decision to select Private Eye was an easy one after watching the sprinter’s Gilgai Stakes win.

"Backed for a stack and bolts in!" 🔥

👁 Private Eye blows them away in the Gilgai Stakes 🐎@prideracingpic.twitter.com/0ouIeEP13x

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 1, 2022

“A lot of us watched the race last Saturday and thought ‘wow, there’s a horse that is going to make a big impression on the race’,’’ Hutch said.

“But, now the circumstances are entirely different and we are delighted to be going with him.

“What happened with Snapdancer was unfortunate so when a silver lining like a Private Eye comes along it is hard to believe our luck.

“It is great to partner with a fantastic group of people and Jamie Walter of Proven Thoroughbreds is a big client of our business, as is (trainer) Joe Pride.

“Private Eye is a pretty, cool horse and we are delighted to be in a position to be associated with a sprinter that has a proper chance.’’

Inglis has gone close previously in The Everest with Gytrash finishing third two years ago and Private Eye gives the slot-holder another competitive opportunity in the big race.

“We are under no illusions about the challenge this race poses and that is why it is such an appealing spectacle to so many people,’’ Hutch said.

“Private Eye is taking on the best sprinter in the world (Nature Strip) and there are others in the race that would be up there in the top 10 in the world.

“Making bold predictions for The Everest is something of a fool’s errand as there have been any number of examples where horses defied expectations. It is a fascinating race.’’

Originally published as After spectacular Flemington win last week Private Eye has become the 11th horse into $15m The Everest