Private Eye Hot on Stradbroke Handicap Trail

Trainer Pride plays down weights, fitness record against top miler in Brisbane classic

- 

BRISBANE - Sydney trainer Joseph Pride is undeterred by the challenges facing Private Eye, when the outstanding miler tackles the AU$3 million (S$2.5 million) Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1,400m) at Eagle Farm in Brisbane on June 14.

Assigned top weight of 57kg, the Al Maher seven-year-old will resume after a 182-day break. He is bidding to defy history as he tries to become the first horse to carry 57kg or more to victory in the Stradbroke Handicap since Rough Habit won with 58.5kg in 1992.

Additionally, winning the Stradbroke Handicap first-up is a rare achievement, after an extended break with Crawl famously bucking the trend by triumphing in 2001 off a 56-day break.

"Records are made to be broken and I don't think first-up is what it used to be," said Pride of the 12-time winner, whose biggest win came in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1,600m) in 2021, but carrying a luxury weight of 52.5kg then.

"I've also given Private Eye four barrier trials, I'm very happy with him, and he won't be beaten on the score of fitness.

"His trial last Friday (June 6) at Rosehill was everything I wanted to see from him. He jumped and put himself on the speed.