Melbourne is set to benefit from Racing New South Wales’ decision not to reschedule the Missile Stakes, with star sprinter Private Eye now likely to resume in Saturday’s PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield.
The $300,000 Group 2 Missile Stakes was abandoned when last weekend’s Randwick meeting was washed out, and unlike several other events from the card, the 1200-metre weight-for-age feature will not be reprogrammed.
Private Eye had trialled at Warwick Farm the day before the meeting and was a likely runner if the race had been moved. Trainer Joe Pride said the decision leaves him with limited options.
“I might end up having to go to Melbourne,” Pride said.
“It’s a shame because he is an older horse and he’s ready to go.
“I realise I’m only one stable and I’m talking about one horse, but now there is no race for him and they’re forcing him to potentially have to go interstate. It’s disappointing.”
Private Eye is one of 21 nominations for the Lawrence Stakes, which also features Lindsay Park duo Evaporate and Here To Shock, five entries for Chris Waller including American mares Moira, Full Count Felicia and Anisette, and last year’s winner Pinstriped.
Another option for Pride is to wait for Saturday week’s $1 million Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) in Sydney, where Private Eye would meet Via Sistina, Fangirl, Lady Shenandoah and Another Wil.
The eight-year-old led throughout to win a Warwick Farm trial last Friday, his second since placing third in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap on June 14.
“With Private Eye at this point of his career, it’s not about the prizemoney anymore, he has earned all that,” Pride said.
“It might sound strange to say it, but one of the more disappointing things in his career was running second and third in an Everest. They were massive cheques – he picked up $2 million for those two Everest runs – but, at the end of the day, they’re not wins.
“When we look back on his career I want him to have as many wins beside his name as he can because he has been a great horse.
“He’s got 12 there now, which is great, but I’d love to think he can finish his career with 14 or 15 wins.”
The Lawrence Stakes headlines a strong Caulfield program, also featuring the Group 3 Vain Stakes and Quezette Stakes for three-year-olds over 1100m, plus the Group 3 Regal Roller Stakes (1200m).