Joe Pride has come out swinging at the Australian Turf Clubâs decision to lease its Everest slot to Giga Kickâs owner Jonathan Munz just two days before that horseâs clash with his top sprinter Think About It in the Premiere Stakes at Randwick.
The ATC confirmed on Thursday that it had come to an agreement with Munz, securing Giga Kick his place in the $20 million race.
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However, Pride cannot understand why they didnât wait for Saturdayâs showdown between the past two Everest winners and let the horses do the talking on the racetrack.
âIn terms of any criticism I have of the ATC, firstly, this horse needs to prove himself,â Pride said of Think About It, who resumes in Saturdayâs sprint.
âBut when they are announcing the slot two days before a race. Can we just see whoâs better, Giga Kick of Think About It?
âHow smart could the ATC have been? They could have said, âweâre going to line them up and whoever we think is the best run is going to get our slotâ.
âI think Giga Kick should be in the race. I am not criticising Giga Kick or his connections one bit. They have done exactly what you should do to get yourself into the race.
âWhat Iâm saying is, I would have liked the same opportunity, and I donât understand that process.
âI am really disappointed.â
Giga kick deserves his spot in the Everest , I didnât expect it would come from the ATC , paying stable rent and track fees for over 20 years obviously doesnât count for much, Saturdays clash in the premiere to decide a slot is a promoters dream but not for the ATCđ€Š
â Pride Racing (@PrideRacing) October 3, 2024
Pride is also surprised the club didnât opt to work with the connections of a Sydney-based horse, given the support local trainers provide the club through track fees and runners.
Jamie Walter, who runs Proven Thoroughbreds which races Think About It and also Private Eye, had been in negotiations with the ATC regarding its Everest slot but Pride said âthat had all gone out the windowâ and in the end, they werenât offered a chance at a counter deal.
The ATCâs Head of Racing and Wagering, Nevesh Ramdhani, said the clubâs decision to lease its slot to Munz was a commercial one.
âWe did negotiate with and speak to Jamie Walter about a couple of his horses,â Ramdhani said
âBut we couldnât land on a commercial agreement.
âIn the end, this was the best commercial outcome for the club.â
On the decision to make the call prior to the Premiere Stakes clash, Ramdhani said Munz was keen to go into Saturdayâs assignment knowing he had secured an Everest spot for Giga Kick.
âJonathan Munz, he wanted to lock it in before the weekend as well, so he has some certainty in the preparation for the horse,ââ Ramdhani said.
With the majority of the unconfirmed Everest slots held by the likes of Godolphin, Yulong and John Camilleri, who are all likely to choose their own horses, Think About Itâs final chance at defending his Everest title looks to rest with garnering the slot held by prominent owners Max Whitby and Neil Werrett.
They had originally selected Bustling, but that horse was ruled out of The Everest earlier this week.
Frustrations aside, Pride is putting his faith in Think About It stepping up to the plate on Saturday when he chases back-to-back Premiere Stakes (1200m) wins.
âIt has been a long bloody wait but Iâm really happy with him,â he said.
âI couldnât see the use in running him in The Shorts, heâs not an 1100-metre horse, so we will kick him off here and see what he can do.
âHe looks amazing. The proof will be in what he does Saturday, but I canât fault the horse.â
Pride will also saddle up Coal Crusher, who is being readied for The Hunter, and honest sprinter Mazu who tackles Saturdayâs feature second-up after resuming with a solid third in The Shorts (1100m).