PRIVATE EYE has found himself on the wrong side of lady luck again ahead of Saturday’s Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
The dual-Everest placegetter was due for a change of fortune with barriers. So far this campaign he’s drawn 12 in a field of 14, the outside gate at his two previous starts and now has 10 of 14 this weekend.
The 1400m start point at Randwick is a tricky one with a short run to the top corner meaning horses that lack gate speed can often end up further back than they should.
PRIVATE EYE may also find an unfavourable wet track with Sydney set for up to 25mm of rain between Wednesday and Saturday.
All that said, the horse is going very well, as evidenced by his trial win last Friday and will have the services of leading jockey James McDonald for the first time in his career.
Last Sunday’s open day was a resounding success with Joe Pride and Kerry Parker taking us through all the yearlings that have joined their roster.
This Sunday (April 21), Kolora Lodge will host our Steve O’Dea-Matt Hoysted Open Day. More details on this event HERE.
For all current ownership opportunities please visit our AVAILABLE HORSES page.
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SIRE ON FIRE – ALABAMA EXPRESS
He was the first sire in history to bank $1million before Christmas in his freshman season and with DISCRETION RULES finishing 2nd in the Listed Welcome Stakes at Riccarton over the weekend, the son of REDOUTE’S CHOICE now has 6 stakes performers from his first 12 runners! This certainly reads well for the two inexpensive ALABAMA EXPRESS yearlings we purchased this year – the colt from WICHITA WOMAN and colt from OUR RANSOM STAR.
BLACK BOOKER – CARTWHEELS
CARTWHEELS was a gallant 2nd when resuming from a spell at Ipswich last week. In what was her first go beyond 1200m, the 1350m contest was run 4 lengths slower than benchmark for the grade, making it hard to run fast time. But it does provide a lovely platform for her to bounce off and we think she will be competitive in the Listed Princess Stakes over a mile later this month.
BET WITH NIC
Our resident times analyst Nic Ashman is backing KING OF SPARTA in the $5 million The Quokka at Ascot on Saturday.
“The stable have worked him out – keep him fresh. His past two starts at Gold Coast and Randwick have rated well and he’ll do no work in the run from the barrier. Terrific bet on a 1 x 3 basis around the $9-$8 mark.”
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Randwick Saturday April 20
Group 1 All Aged Stakes 1400m
PRIVATE EYE
Joe Pride/James McDonald
Comment: Tricky start point for wide gates but he’s a class act. Was wide in The Galaxy and sectionally had no hope in the Challenge Stakes. Only run to judge him off this prep was his close 2nd to IMPERATRIZ in the Lightning Stakes. Gets J Mac on board.
Eagle Farm Saturday April 20
BM70 Handicap 1400m
OCEAN ZAR
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Nikita Beriman
Comment: Has had zero luck for various reasons at her past three starts and again we arrive here thinking she is right in the mix. Produced the fastest last 1200m of the day last start only to go down narrowly. Did the same thing four runs back and clocked the fastest last 200m of the day when first-up. Has a monster finish on her.
Listed Ascot Handicap 1000m
RED RUBI
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Nikita Beriman
Comment: Over-raced when fresh then slowly away last start before launching late for a close 2nd. Reeled off the best last 800m, 600m and 400m of the day there suggesting she is still racing with zest. Harder here but can figure on an each-way basis.
Sunshine Coast Sunday April 21
BM58 Handicap 1200m
POLARISING
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Back to the track and distance where her only win came. Wasn’t disgraced in a fast run race in town last start and will find this more suitable.
