Joe Pride is happy with his confirmed starter in this Saturday’s The Everest at Randwick, but the Warwick Farm trainer has not surrendered hope of having more than one runner in the inaugural edition at Group 1 level.
Think About It, the horse who won last year’s $20 million event, has been left stranded outside the field, which will be finalised when Coolmore decides whether Storm Boy or Switzerland fill their slot.
That means Think About It heads to Saturday’s $3 million Sydney Stakes (1200m) and likely be an emergency for The Everest, but Pride refuses to put a line through his chances until Saturday morning’s scratching deadline.
“I haven’t given up on hope on having another one in The Everest but there’s probably going to be something happen between now and then,” Pride said of Think About It.
“He’s good, I’m happy with him, he didn’t have any luck the other day, he’s come through it in good shape and I’m looking forward to his next run.”
Think About It’s only run this campaign was a sixth placing in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on October 5 when he worked home well from the rear in a slowly-run race.
Private Eye’s two runs this campaign have realised a fourth placing in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) and a sixth in the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m).
The son of Al Maher rounded out his preparations with a third placing in a star-studded 1000m trial at Randwick last week, which was won by The Everest rival Lady Of Camelot, and Pride is keen to seeing him up to 1200m this weekend.
“I’m really happy with him, he’s on track and had his little trial there during the week,” Pride said.
“He’s a straight-forward horse, he’s been there before – he’s placed in the last two Everests – so he’ll run well again.”
Private Eye finished a long-neck second to Giga Kick in the 2022 The Everest before being beaten three-quarters-of-a-length when third behind Think About It and I Wish I Win last year.