PRIVATE EYE will enjoy a deserved spell in the Queensland sunshine after a thrilling victory in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) on Saturday.
The Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) back at Eagle Farm next month was mooted for the 3YO gelding however trainer Joe Pride has decided to pull up stumps for the campaign, with one eye on the $7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill in November.
“He’s pulled up ok but thinking about the long term, I’m convinced the best thing to do is give him a break now,” Pride said.
“Our goal is to get this horse into the Golden Eagle – it’s against his own age group and the prizemoney is unbelievable.
“I think if we want to get him there in the best possible order, we can’t be taxing him too much now.”
PRIVATE EYE came with a sustained run from the tail of the field to claim Proven Thoroughbreds’ second Queensland Guineas trophy, seven years after SIR MOMENTS’ triumph.
Winning rider Brenton Avdulla had to pull the stick before the home turn but the horse showed his customary grit to pick up and surge to the finish line.
“I was under hard riding before the corner and I thought it was going to be a waste of time to be honest,” Avdulla said.
“I just gave him his chance and got him to the outside and once I put him under a fair bit of pressure I felt him respond.
“But they were two different horses, the one I had before the corner I was going to run last and once I got him to the outside he finally did his job and did it well.
“He just seemed to not travel at his best for me throughout.
“He is very laid-back and very casual.”
Proven almost bagged a stakes double at the meeting as STELLAR MAGIC finished a brave second in the Listed Dalrello Stakes (1000m) for 2YOs.
Co-trainers Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted plan to press on to the Listed Bill Carter Stakes (1200m) at Doomben in three weeks for the daughter of STAR TURN.