Trainer Joseph Pride's horses Private Eye and Headley Grange ran in a barrier trial at Warwick Farm on May 25 as part of their preparations for the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm on May 30, which carries a A$1 million prize purse [1, 2]. Private Eye, a nine-year-old son of Al Maher with career earnings surpassing A$12.8 million, trialled without blinkers and cruised at the rear of the seven-horse heat [1, 2]. Headley Grange finished a close fourth under jockey Adam Hyeronimus, who rode him under a tight rein [1, 2].
Pride said, "Private Eye and Headley Grange will go for the Kingsford Smith on Saturday, then they will come back home and get ready for the (Group 1) Stradbroke (Handicap)." He added that missing a recent run in the Group 1 Doomben 10000 due to a wet track was not a concern, as "it only helps [Private Eye] to stay fresh for the 1,300m this Saturday. He’s going really well." [1]
Headley Grange's recent form included a disappointing seventh place in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile, but Pride noted, "He wasn’t himself that day" and praised his prior Group 1 performances from the autumn carnival [1].
The early betting odds for the Kingsford Smith Cup list Private Eye at 6-1, Headley Grange at 17-1, with Ciaron Maher's Jimmysstar favoured at 5-2 [1, 2].
Another of Pride's horses, Estadio Mestalla, is also in contention for the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap on June 13 at Eagle Farm. Estadio Mestalla finished fourth in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes over 1,300m at Scone on May 16 [1, 2]. Pride said, "I thought Estadio Mestalla went super at Scone. He’s a great, old horse who tries his head out. The plan for him is to have another barrier trial and then go straight to the Stradbroke." [1]
Three horses from Pride's stable will run in the Stradbroke Handicap on June 13: Private Eye, Headley Grange, and Estadio Mestalla [1, 2].