An early decision to head south to Melbourne for a Stakes assignment has rewarded the connections of Private Eye with an impressive victory.
Trainer Joe Pride chose to trial Private Eye at Warwick Farm last week, avoiding the wet conditions in Sydney and bypassing the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
That strategy proved decisive, as Pride instead set his sights on the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, where Private Eye rose to the occasion in emphatic style.
Starting as the $3.10 favourite with Nash Rawiller in the saddle, the seasoned runner dictated the race from the outset and powered clear to win by two lengths over Desert Lightning ($12), with Here To Shock ($6) a further half-length back in third.
Now an eight-year-old, Private Eye was stepping out for just his second run of 2025, having placed third in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June.
Pride credited the gelding’s residual fitness from that run, combined with recent trial performances, for leaving him in peak condition heading into Caulfield. His confidence only grew when he saw the horse arrive on course.
“It was a little bit like In Flight when she won here,” Pride said.
“When I saw him get off the float, I grew in confidence. When your horses travel away, you need to see them travel well, and he looked magnificent.
“He’s an amazing athlete and that was his 13th interstate trip. He’s very tough and carried a good bit of residual fitness from Queensland.
“It was only his second start for 2025. It would easily be the lightest he has been raced in some time and maybe that has something to do with his good form at the moment.”
Pride also suggested that Private Eye could return later this month for a tilt at the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 30, though his final path will be guided by race conditions.
“I wouldn’t rule out coming back for the Memsie, but there are plenty of races there in Sydney also,” Pride said. “We’ll hopefully pick something off and hopefully on a better track than we got today.”
Rawiller explained that there was a brief scare pre-race when Private Eye struck his head in the stalls, but he was cleared to run and showed no ill effects once the gates opened.
“Another horse got a bit agitated, and he took a dive and hit his head,” Rawiller said.
“I backed him out and got him checked, but I was confident he was well enough to race, I just wanted to double check.
“He was really switched on today and he travelled really well from the time he left the gates. It’s full credit to the team at home as he’s got his zest for racing.”
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