PRIVATE EYE will have an opportunity to showcase his Everest wares at Randwick this Saturday.
Runner-up in The Everest last year, PRIVATE EYE kicks off his spring campaign in the $1 million Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) with Nash Rawiller booked to ride.
All in markets currently have the gelding on the second line of betting at $6 for the Shorts as he looks to secure a start in the world’s richest race on turf for the second year running.
One horse that is guaranteed a start in The Everest on October 14 is stablemate THINK ABOUT IT, who was a comfortable trial winner at Warwick Farm on Tuesday morning, maintaining his unblemished record in 2023. The son of SO YOU THINK is on track to resume in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on September 30.
Meanwhile, our Queensland team of runners this week includes the consistent UNDERHAND at Ipswich on Friday followed by last start winner NAVAL TRADER at Eagle Farm’s Saturday meeting.
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BLACK BOOKER
WITH INTENT was always going to find the 1000m first-up short of her preferred distance but she still managed to finish within 0.7 lengths of the winner after being near enough to last at the 400m mark. She’s been a slow maturing type but think the owners’ patience will pay off this preparation.
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Kembla Grange Thursday September 14
Maiden Handicap 1300m
HOOD RIVER
Joe Pride/Andrew Adkins
Comment: Didn’t trouble the scorer on debut but stuck to her task ok in the run home, just tiring over the final 100m. Fitter and more experienced.
COMBAT CRUSADER
Joe Pride/Tyler Schiller
Comment: First starter. A big, slow maturing horse likely to need this experience.
Ipswich Friday September 15
BM75 Handicap 800m
UNDERHAND
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Emily Lang (a)
Comment: Winner at three of her last four including a blistering 5 length success last start. Seems to have found her niche over these short distances and must be considered a winning chance again.
Randwick Saturday September 16
G2 The Shorts 1100m
PRIVATE EYE
Joe Pride/Nash Rawiller
Comment: Been a long time since he’s been at 1100m – 3 years in fact! However he did win on that occasion albeit in a BM64 at Gosford. If the speed is genuine here then doubt the distance will be of any significance, given his outstanding first-up stats. Meets the favourite IN SECRET 4.5kg better at the weights from the Newmarket where 1.95 lengths separated them.
Eagle Farm Saturday September 16
BM85 Handicap 1500m
CANADIAN DANCER
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Justin Huxtable
Comment: Went way too quick in front last start and not surprisingly compounded over the final stages. Tough win prior to that and has superior form to most of her opposition here. Can bounce back hard.
Class 6 Handicap 1000m
RED RUBI
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Andrew Mallyon
Comment: Racing well without winning this preparation. Won in this grade over the same track and distance last year. No reason to believe she won’t run well again, will just need to be within striking distance of the leaders.
BM70 Handicap 1400m
NAVAL TRADER
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Ben Thompson
Comment: Lightly-raced, promising gelding make his debut in Saturday company. Won as he liked at the midweeks last outing and is proven over this course and distance. Hard to beat.
