Joe Pride has won the Doncaster Mile twice but so far a victory in its spring twin, the Group 1 Epsom Handicap, has eluded him.
The Warwick Farm horseman figures he has a prime chance to change that statistic with Private Eye, one of the leading fancies heading into Saturday’s $1.5 million feature.
“The Doncaster is the premier mile race in Australia, this is obviously the spring equivalent and it’s always an exciting race,” said Pride, who has won Doncasters with Vision And Power (2009) and Sacred Choice (2011).
“I’ve never been lucky enough to win one, but I’ve got a couple of Doncaster trophies at home and an Epsom one would look pretty good sitting beside it.”
Four-year-olds have an outstanding recent record in the Epsom Handicap (1600m), winning 17 of the past 25 renewals.
Private Eye fits that profile and Pride expects the gelding to relish a genuinely run Randwick mile.
The horse has found himself in two unsuitable races since returning with a slashing win in the Show County Quality but the performances have seasoned him for Saturday’s assignment.
“He’s had the perfect preparation for mine, and I’m yet to win a Group One with a horse who hasn’t had the perfect preparation,” Pride said.
“At that level, you just need everything to go your way and he’s had a lovely prep.
“I’m really happy with the three runs I’ve given him and he’s ready to peak on Saturday.”
Pride also points to the booking of Regan Bayliss as significant.
Bayliss has ridden Private Eye four times, highlighted by back-to-back victories in the summer, and Pride feels his experience on the horse is critical, despite the fact he will ride him 1.5kg over at 52.5kg.
“Familiarity is very important with some horses, and this is one of those cases,” Pride said.
“Yes, we have to have him overweight a touch, but I think that extra kilo or so far outweighs the negative of having a rider who has never ridden him before.”
Private Eye has firmed into $8 after opening at $13 and sits on the third line of TAB fixed odds betting, behind only Riodini ($5 fav) and top weight Mo’Unga ($6.50).
