Private Eye set to trial as Joe Pride targets Group 1 Lightning Stakes clash with Imperatriz
Private Eye is set to clash with Imperatriz first-up
Two-time The Everest placegetter Private Eye will take a significant step towards a highly-anticipated clash with Kiwi superstar Imperatriz when he makes his first public appearance of 2024 at Royal Randwick barrier trials on Monday.
Private Eye will be one of the headliners on a star studded morning in Sydney as trainer Joseph Pride begins plotting a first up assault at the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington.
"He is a just a grand horse, I love him," Pride said.
"It's sort of hard at the moment because we have Think About It there and Private Eye gets lost in the conversation sometimes but he is a bloody good horse,
"I think he will go really well over the 1000m fresh and is good down the straight so I am happy to give him a go and clash with the Kiwi mare (Imperatriz) which is good."
Imperatriz owners Te Akau Racing turned down offers to run the mare in Sydney's The Everest last spring, remaining in Melbourne and claiming three Group 1s in the Moir Stakes, Manikato Stakes and Champions Sprint.
Pride kept both of his star sprinters in Sydney for the duration of the spring and the move paid significant dividends after Think About It and Private Eye ran first and third respectively in the richest race on turf.
But Pride plans to keep his two stable weapons apart this campaign with Think About It still a few weeks away from trialling as Pride plots a course for a first up crack at the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes in March.Think About It claims the $20mill @tabcomau Everest ðŸ-¥ðŸÂ‡
Congratulations Sam Clipperton and @PrideRacing along with @ProvenTbreds@NewgateFarm GPI Racing
Stable gets first and third with Private Eye filling the minors. I Wish I Win splits them for second#TABEverestpic.twitter.com/Ngtw4e91Pl
- Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) October 14, 2023
He will keep his options open in Sydney and Melbourne for Private Eye.
"We will go to the Lightning and then we've got plenty of options but we've just got to avoid wet tracks with him," Pride said.
"He could run in a Newmarket (Handicap) and could also just come back to Sydney and run in a Challenge (Stakes).
"He won't clash with Think About It at all this prep. I would be very surprised if they did clash."
Regular jockey Nash Rawiller will be aboard Private Eye in an 850m heat that also includes Group 1 winners Arapaho and Major Beel as well as exciting three-year-olds Celestial Legend and Hip Hip Hurrah.
Private Eye won't be asked to do much in the morning.
"It will be a very quiet trial on Monday because I've got to leave speed in his legs for a 1000m race," Pride said.
"He will have two trials but they will both be quiet."
FIVE TO FOLLOW
FULLY LIT (race 1)
Another Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained two-year-old hit the ground running with a dominant first up win. Where he measures up against his stablemates remains to be seen but most of them won't take him on in the Inglis Millennium.
It's another 2YO winner for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott! 💥
Fully Lit dominates them in the first at Rosehill. ðŸ-¥@GaiWaterhouse1@Reganbaylisspic.twitter.com/ufAp2NNnEm
- 7HorseRacing ðŸÂÂŽ (@7horseracing) January 20, 2024
KAIHOKO (race 2)
It was a horror watch after he was left with a wall of horses in front of him before making good ground late to finish eighth. Tipping we might get a nice price about him in another Highway race in a fortnight over 1500m. Ditto for stablemate Cenotes.
GENTLY ROLLED (race 3)
She found one better in the form of Willaidow but did more than enough in her return, making up good ground on the winner. She can go close in a similar grade next time.
CABALLUS (race 5)
The former $1m yearling buy made the perfect debut for new trainer Bjorn Baker with a dominant win. It was only a small field and still hard to know what his level is but happy to follow him.
Caballus resumes a winner for his new connections! @BBakerRacing@Darby_Racing@JoshuaParr8pic.twitter.com/IApRx8s8r0
- SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 20, 2024
OUR KOBISON (race 9)
The Angela Davies-trained galloper is a horse on the up and his latest city success was his most impressive to date. He's got a good race in him this prep and I wouldn't be surprised if it was in stakes company.
STEWARDS SAY
Sacred Fort (race 1): Did not finish off the race as expecting and was found to be coughing post-race. Ciaron Maher will advise the results of an endoscopic examination.
Musical Affair (race 2): Was found to be 2/5 lame in the near foreleg and will require vets clearance before racing again.
First Light (race 6): When placed under pressure at the 300m mark the horse failed to respond to riding and raced flat. No abnormalities were found but trainer Chris Waller confirmed that he would now be spelled.
Special Envoy (race 8): Failed to respond when put under pressure and was disappointing with jockey Adam Hyeronimus stating he performed similarly fresh last prep. Stewards will check on his condition in the coming days.
Centrestone (race 10): Travelled well behind the leaders but did not finish off under pressure. A post-race veterinary examination found no problems but stewards will follow it up in coming days.
CRUNCH TIME
Gently Rolled (race 3): Ran home terrific first up with his last 600m of 32.93 seconds one of the best of the meeting but couldn't reel in the winner Willaidow.
Caballus (race 5): Settled second last and had to come around the field when running his last 600m in a competitive 33.26 seconds first-up. His 10.87 split between the 400m and 200m was crucial.
Buillt (race 8): Continued to build into his run when working home nicely to win, clocking 33.98 seconds for his last 600m in the 1500m affair. His 11.10 final furlong was his best.
Our Kobison (race 9): Clocked the second fastest last 600m of the meeting to win, with his 32.81 second split only slightly shaded by runner up Tintookie (32.77). The winner's 10.85 final 200m was the best of the race.
Soft in the end!@mcacajamez puts a treble on the board with Our Kobison. pic.twitter.com/9aAgRs47QJ
- SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 20, 2024
TRACK TALK
"We will weigh it up and if we think he's a Slipper horse, whether we need to go to the races that qualify him to get him in the race, or whether we're chasing the sales prizemoney." Adrian Bott on Fully Lit.
"It's always a bit nerve-racking when you get given a horse like Caballus," Bjorn Baker.
"I had a couple of lean patches there earlier in the season but it is a matter of sticking to your guns." Kerrin McEvoy.
"He has furnished so much since I last rode him and rides so well so he has a bright future." James McDonald on Our Kobison.
YOU CAN BET ON IT
Race 8
Anythink Goes was slashed from double figures into $3.80 while Step Aside was best backed by the time they jumped despite drifting from $2.30-$2.60 before his stablemate Buillt won.
Buillt was $3.70 into $3.30 before jumping at $3.50 and second most supported with around 30% of the hold. Big bets were taken at $12,000 @ $3.70, $5,000 @ $3.50 and $4,500 @ $3.60.
Race 9
Our Kobison held close to 60% of the outlays and took interest from the start of the week until the jump after being trimmed from even money into a $1.60. Bets were landed of $8,000 @ $1.65 (twice), $7,500 @ $1.60 (twice), $7,000 @ $2.15, $5,000 @ $1.95, $5,000 @ $1.60.
THE SCHEDULE
Monday: Albury, Coffs Harbour
Tuesday: Murwillumbah, Queanbeyan
Wednesday: Gosford
Thursday: Ballina, Tamworth
Friday: Warwick Farm, Wagga
Saturday: Royal Randwick, Newcastle, Parkes, Tumbarumba, Deepwater
Sunday: Wyong, Grafton
RON DUFFICY'S ROSEHILL SNAPSHOT
RUN OF THE DAY
It was a low key meeting with no feature event but the two winners from the program that looked pretty slick and can rise through the grades are definitely Caballus and Our Kobison.
FORGET THEY RAN
While things opened up late for Bon Frankie to win it wasn't the case for Agirlsbestfriend who was held up badly at vital stages.
The result probably would have been reversed with better luck.
"Frankie hits the lead!"
Bon Frankie runs away with the highway. 😮Â💨@G1TySchilpic.twitter.com/b1s8VDzxys
- 7HorseRacing ðŸÂÂŽ (@7horseracing) January 20, 2024
THE BLACKBOOK
I don't want to get too excited but Cenotes was terrific as far as a Highway opportunity in the near future.
Field Wiri can be placed to advantage next time with her low rating while I don't know if I can trust him but Claim The Crown caught the eye in the parade and did more than enough first-up.
RIDE OF THE DAY
The in-form mare Yankee Hussel is not the easiest horse to get on with but Sam Clipperton did a great job covering her up and keeping hold of her making it look easy.
Sam doesn't get a lot of rides but is a class act when opportunities arise.
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