‘I’m not panicking’: Pride takes time with 2024 The Everest climb for Think About It, Private Eye

Trainer Joe Pride isn’t concerned defending Everest champ Think About It and dual placegetter Private Eye have still not been selected for the world’s richest turf race this spring.

Trainer Joe Pride still hopes to have 2023 The Everest winner Think About It (top right) and dual placegetter Private Eye in the field for this year's race. Pictures: File

Trainer Joe Pride isn’t concerned defending Everest champ Think About It and dual placegetter Private Eye have still not been selected for the world’s richest turf race this spring.

Although Think About It hasn’t won since The Everest last year and Private Eye has been winless for nearly 12 months ago, Pride hasn’t felt the need to get either sprinter up and running early in the spring.

Instead, Pride is relying on their big-race reputations as he follows a very deliberate spring carnival program that has worked previously for both sprinters.

The master trainer remains convinced Think About It and Private Eye will make the elite sprint field for the $20 million The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 19.

“They are among the top 12 sprinters in the country,’’ Pride said. “So, I’m not panicking about them not being selected for The Everest yet.

“There are a couple of conversations going on with slot-holders, we are letting them know we are on track and to keep us in mind because these two horses are going well.’’

Winners win! Think About It wins the #TABEverest! 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/3nA5YLSS9n

— TAB (@tabcomau) October 14, 2023

• Amelia’s Jewel shines in Hawkesbury trial win

I Wish I Win and Bustling are the only sprinters so far locked in for starts in The Everest. But there are a number of others sprinters making strong cases for Everest selection including 2022 winner Giga Kick, brilliant mare Joliestar – who was so impressive in the Show County Quality last week – plus the likes of Sunshine In Paris, Bella Nipotina, Lady Of Camelot and Gatsby’s.

Pride isn’t feeling under pressure to get Think About It back to the races before the Group 2 $1 million Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 5 – the same race the gelding won first-up last spring before his triumph in The Everest.

“Think About It will have a couple of barrier trials at Randwick in September then resume in the Premiere,’’ Pride said.

“I could get Think About It up and going for The Shorts (September 21) but I don’t feel the need to do that.

“I’m happy to wait for the Premiere Stakes and give him the same preparation that worked so well last year.’’

Pride confirmed Think About It would have a new jockey for the spring, with Jason Collett booked to ride the $12 million prizemoney earner.

PRIVATE EYE makes a statement in the SHORTS! 💥@PrideRacing@[e-mail]/OIxo712qBv

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 16, 2023

• Mitch Cohen’s Blackbook: Waller weighs up targets for 3YO weapons

Private Eye, who has been placed in successive Everests with his second behind Giga Kick (2022) and third to Think About It last year, will also have a new rider this spring with Jay Ford in the saddle when he resumes in the Group 3 $1 million Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Royal Randwick on September 7.

Ford, who rode his 100th winner for the Pride stable on Iconic Treasure at Goulburn on Sunday, hasn’t ridden Private Eye in a race for three years but did partner the gelding when a close sixth in a Randwick barrier trial earlier this month.

Pride also has big-race ambitions this spring carnival for promising stayer Ceolwulf who will contest the Benchmark 100 Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Ceolwulf, runner-up to Riff Rocket in the Rosehill Guineas and ATC Australian Derby last autumn, resumed with a very good sixth behind Godolphin’s Tom Kitten in the Spring Preview two weeks ago.

“He missed the start and was beaten less than three lengths on the line,’’ Pride said.

“It was a very good run and he will line up at Rosehill on Saturday. When he gets to the Kingston Town Stakes (Royal Randwick 2000m, September 21) that is when he will start coming into his own.’’

Originally published as ‘I’m not panicking’: Pride takes time with 2024 The Everest climb for Think About It, Private Eye