Racing New South Wales’ decision not to reprogram the Missile Stakes is set to be Melbourne’s gain with Private Eye in line to resume in this Saturday’s PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield.
Private Eye was an acceptor for the $300,000 Group 2 Missile Stakes, which was abandoned when last Saturday’s Randwick meeting was called off and the 1200-metre weight-for-age event will not be reprogrammed.
The veteran sprinter was scratched from the Missile after trialling at Warwick Farm on Friday, but Pride said he would have been a probable starter had it been reprogrammed for later this week, as three other races that were scheduled be run last Saturday have been.
“I might end up having to go to Melbourne,” Pride said. “It’s a shame because he is an older horse and he’s ready to go.
“I realise I’m only one stable and I’m talking about one horse, but now there is no race for him and they’re forcing him to potentially have to go interstate. It’s disappointing.”
Private Eye as among 21 entries for the Lawrence Stakes. Lindsay Park will be represented by Evaporate and Here To Shock, Chris Waller has five entries, including American mares Moira, Full Count Felicia and Anisette, while last year’s winner Pinstriped will also run. The other option for Private Eye is to remain in Sydney and resume in Saturday week’s $1 million Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m), which will contain star gallopers Via Sistina, Fangirl, Lady Shenandoah and Another Wil. Private Eye led all the way to defeat stablemate Ceowulf in last Friday’s trial, his second since his third placing in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap on June 14.
Pride said this preparation is all about banking as many wins as possible for the eight-year-old, who has won 12 of 43 starts and $12.2 million in stakes.
“With Private Eye at this point of his career, it’s not about the prizemoney anymore, he has earned all that,” Pride said.
“It might sound strange to say it, but one of the more disappointing things in his career was running second and third in an Everest. They were massive cheques – he picked up $2 million for those two Everest runs – but, at the end of the day, they’re not wins.
“When we look back on his career I want him to have as many wins beside his name as he can because he has been a great horse.
“He’s got 12 there now, which is great, but I’d love to think he can finish his career with 14 or 15 wins.”
The Lawrence Stakes is feature race of a Caulfield program that also contains the Vain Stakes and Quezette Stakes, both Group 3 races over 1100m for three-year-olds, and the Group 3 Regal Roller Stakes (1200m).
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