Seasoned campaigner Private Eye will bring a wealth of experience to Randwick on Saturday as he lines up in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m), chasing what would be his fourteenth career triumph.

The Joe Pride-trained star reminded punters he still has plenty of fire in the tank when resuming with a stylish first-up victory in the P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. Although drawn wide in barrier 14 this weekend, Pride remains optimistic about his chances. “The barrier doesn’t worry me at all. He’s a horse with really good speed,” Pride said.

Pride believes the gelding is at his best when allowed to roll forward. “The best version of Private Eye is when he’s jumping well and rolling forward. Last spring he wasn’t doing that—he was getting back too far. People said the races were too short for him, but the truth was he just wasn’t beginning cleanly enough. Now he’s jumping well and putting himself in the race, and that’s the best version of him.”

Private Eye has been a money-spinner for connections, earning close to $12.4 million from 44 career starts. His resume includes a Group 1 victory in the 2021 Epsom Handicap (1600m) as well as runner-up finishes in The Everest in both 2022 and 2023.

For Pride, though, Private Eye is more than just a prize earner. “He’s got his way of doing things and he makes me laugh. He’s a character,” the trainer said. “He’s a beautiful horse to work with and I can’t wait to see him get to the races on Saturday. He’s like part of the furniture in the stable—fast furniture though.”

Jockey Nash Rawiller, who has ridden the gelding in 11 of his starts, is back in the saddle. Rawiller has a fine record in the Tramway Stakes, having won it twice on Dreamforce in 2019 and 2020, and he will be aiming for a third victory aboard Private Eye this weekend.