Joe Pride on Everest countdown

Joe Pride saddled up one runner at Randwick on Epsom Handicap day, but he took two Everest contenders to the races.

Think About It and Private Eye, nicknamed ‘Spud’ and ‘Spade’ respectively, both have slots in next month’s $20 million The Everest after the latter was secured by slot holders Max Whitby and Neil Werrett following his outstanding first-up win in The Shorts (1100m).

Keen to keep the sprinter’s mind sharp, Pride sent him to Randwick on Saturday with Think About It so both horses could absorb the big race day crowd and atmosphere.

Think About It got the job done with a first-up win in the Premiere Stakes (1200m) and Pride said the exercise was also beneficial for Private Eye.

“Spade and Spud both jumped in the Pride Racing float and came to Randwick on Saturday,” Pride said.

“One was there to race, and one was there to have a look around and a day out.

“Private Eye is great. He has been on the big stage before and he’s very straightforward.”

Pride was considering trialling Private Eye at Rosehill on Tuesday but has instead opted to wait for the Randwick session three days later, which will give him an eight-day turnaround into the feature sprint.

As was the case last year, the six-year-old will contest The Everest second-up as he bids to go one better than his close second to Giga Kick 12 months ago.

“Once he’s in form, he holds it that horse, so I’m very comfortable with where he’s at,” Pride said.

While Private Eye will be missing from Tuesday’s trial session, fellow Everest hopefuls Buenos Noches, In Secret and Overpass will all make appearances, while Shinzo will be trialling to secure owners Coolmore’s slot.

Mazu could also make a belated trip to Rosehill following his late scratching from the Premiere Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.

The gelding was found to be mildly lame shortly after arriving on course, but co-trainer Paul Snowden hoped it was an issue that could be quickly fixed by an equine chiropractor.

“It’s more of a chiropractic thing and he (equine chiropractor) will be there first thing in the morning to realign him,” Snowden said.

“I don’t think it’s going to hold us back.

“The ambition is going to be to trial him (on Tuesday), as long as he can fix that and pass some tests.”