Private Eye chases history in Stradbroke Handicap
The Joseph Pride-trained galloper will look to defy a big weight and a long break at Eagle Farm on Saturday
Sydney trainer Joseph Pride is undeterred by the challenges facing Private Eye when the outstanding miler tackles the Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1,400m) at Eagle Farm in Brisbane, Australia on Saturday.
Assigned top weight of 57kg (125.6lb), Private Eye will resume after a 182-day break and will have to defy history as he attempts to become the first horse to carry 57kg or more to victory in the Stradbroke Handicap since Rough Habit successfully carried 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, a former protégé of 12-time Hong Kong champion trainer John Size.
'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 at Rosehill was everything I wanted to see from him. He jumped and put himself on the speed. He wanted to be there and that's the best version of Private Eye.
'He ran second in a Stradbroke three years ago [behind Alligator Blood] and I feel he's ready to run super again on Saturday.'
Nash Rawiller will ride Private Eye, while Jason Collett will partner Golden Mile for James Cummings.
An EPIC finish in the G1 Kingsford Smith Cup sees Joliestar nab them right on the line to take her third Group 1! 🤩@cwallerracing @mcacajamez@BrisRacingClub @RaceQLD pic.twitter.com/9AimF9fMu7 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025
Briefly retired to start a breeding career, Golden Mile was gelded after being injured at stud and the Group One winner returned to racing in March before catching the eye when third to Joliestar in the Group One Kingsford Smith Cup (1,300m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday.
'It'd be a great story for Golden Mile, who has come back from stud duties and he's been warming to a win,' said Cummings, who was this week announced as the newest addition to the Hong Kong training roster. 'He was excellent [last start] and he's been building up to that.
'A bit over a month ago he screamed home for third in the Victory Stakes and that had him back in the form he was 12 months ago, just prior to him going to stud.'
Other leading chances in the Stradbroke Handicap are War Machine and Rise At Dawn – who are both trained by Ben, Will and JD Hayes – veteran Rothfire, who will be ridden by James McDonald, and Robusto, who is trained by Bjorn Baker.
The Stradbroke Handicap is one of two races from Brisbane being simulcast for betting by the Jockey Club before Saturday's Sha Tin meeting.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
8 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hayes brothers and Tim Clark combine as War Machine lands the Stradbroke
War Machine lived up to his name with an explosive display to win the Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1,400m) at Eagle Farm for the Hayes brothers. Ridden by Tim Clark, the winner of 59 races in Hong Kong including the 2013 Classic Cup on It Has To Be You, the Harry Angel gelding settled just forward of midfield, sitting three wide with cover. Hooked out on the turn, War Machine charged home down the outside and readily collared the leaders, winning by just under a length from a fast-finishing Yellow Brick. War Machine WINS the G1 Stradbroke Handicap! 🏆 Tim Clark with a flawless performance in the saddle! — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 14, 2025 The $2.6 favourite was a popular winner for brothers Ben, Will and JD Hayes, who are the sons of Hong Kong trainer David Hayes, and co-trainer Ben was full of emotion post-race. 'We're very proud, it was an amazing result today,' Ben Hayes said. 'We're fortunate to be able to get that horse from Mike Moroney and he's an amazing, exciting horse. 'It's funny, a lot of people expect him to be a big, powerful horse. But he's got a physique like Mr Brightside, so hopefully he's the same.' And a humble Clark, who rode the perfect race, deflected all praise onto his willing partner and the trainers. David Hayes (middle) with his sons JD (left) and Will (right). HK Racing News Get updates direct to your inbox Sign up Best Bets Racing News By registering you agree to our T&Cs & Privacy Policy Error: Please enter a valid email. The email address is already in use. Please login to subscribe. Error, please try again later. THANK YOU You are one the list. 'He travelled so well, I probably let him loose a bit early. But this was the grand final, there's no tomorrow, so I wasn't going to die wondering,' said Clark. 'He let rip, really let rip. Maybe just wandered a little bit late. He could feel Yellow Brick coming late and sort of surged again. 'I can't take too much credit for it. What a great job by Ben and his brothers to just have him spot on for today. I was just the lucky one to get the call up.'
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- South China Morning Post
Private Eye chases history in Stradbroke Handicap
The Joseph Pride-trained galloper will look to defy a big weight and a long break at Eagle Farm on Saturday Sydney trainer Joseph Pride is undeterred by the challenges facing Private Eye when the outstanding miler tackles the Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1,400m) at Eagle Farm in Brisbane, Australia on Saturday. Assigned top weight of 57kg (125.6lb), Private Eye will resume after a 182-day break and will have to defy history as he attempts to become the first horse to carry 57kg or more to victory in the Stradbroke Handicap since Rough Habit successfully carried 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, a former protégé of 12-time Hong Kong champion trainer John Size. '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 at Rosehill was everything I wanted to see from him. He jumped and put himself on the speed. He wanted to be there and that's the best version of Private Eye. 'He ran second in a Stradbroke three years ago [behind Alligator Blood] and I feel he's ready to run super again on Saturday.' Nash Rawiller will ride Private Eye, while Jason Collett will partner Golden Mile for James Cummings. An EPIC finish in the G1 Kingsford Smith Cup sees Joliestar nab them right on the line to take her third Group 1! 🤩@cwallerracing @mcacajamez@BrisRacingClub @RaceQLD — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Briefly retired to start a breeding career, Golden Mile was gelded after being injured at stud and the Group One winner returned to racing in March before catching the eye when third to Joliestar in the Group One Kingsford Smith Cup (1,300m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday. 'It'd be a great story for Golden Mile, who has come back from stud duties and he's been warming to a win,' said Cummings, who was this week announced as the newest addition to the Hong Kong training roster. 'He was excellent [last start] and he's been building up to that. 'A bit over a month ago he screamed home for third in the Victory Stakes and that had him back in the form he was 12 months ago, just prior to him going to stud.' Other leading chances in the Stradbroke Handicap are War Machine and Rise At Dawn – who are both trained by Ben, Will and JD Hayes – veteran Rothfire, who will be ridden by James McDonald, and Robusto, who is trained by Bjorn Baker. The Stradbroke Handicap is one of two races from Brisbane being simulcast for betting by the Jockey Club before Saturday's Sha Tin meeting.
RTHK
3 days ago
- RTHK
Australia fight back in WTC final against South Africa
Australia fight back in WTC final against South Africa Australia players celebrate on the field during day one of the ICC World Test Championship. Photo: AFP Mitchell Starc led Australia's recovery as the defending champions fought back with the ball against South Africa on the first day of the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Australia were dismissed for just 212 after South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss in bowler-friendly conditions, with pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada taking 5-51. But at stumps South Africa had slumped to 43-4 in reply, a deficit of 169 runs, as Starc finished the day with figures of 2-10 in seven overs. South Africa's Marco Jansen, who took 3-49, admitted it had been a mixed day for the Proteas. "Bowling-wise I think we did really well," he said. "They bowled well and we are going to have our work cut out for us tomorrow." Given the strength of both teams' pace attacks, the key question was always likely to be which side could put enough runs on the scoreboard. Australia's total certainly looked a lot healthier when left-arm quick Starc had Aiden Markram playing on for a duck before dismissing Ryan Rickelton (16) to leave South Africa floundering at 19-2. Novice number three Wiaan Mulder, dropped on one, was bowled by Australia captain Pat Cummins, having taken 44 balls to make six. And shortly before the close, Josh Hazlewood bowled Tristan Stubbs. Australia had earlier slumped to 67-4 at lunch. But star batsman Steve Smith (66) and all-rounder Beau Webster (72) repaired the damage with a fifth-wicket stand of 79. "Two good bowling outfits, it was tough work for the batters," Webster told the BBC. "We've got a score on the board and to grab four scalps at the end of the day, I think we're pretty happy." Webster, however, would have been lbw to Rabada for eight if South Africa had reviewed an original not out decision. "There were a couple of reviews throughout the day which could've gone either way," said Webster. "The degree of seam movement up the slope was tricky." Australia were in desperate trouble in the early overs, reduced to 16-2 after losing Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in a single Rabada over. The 30-year-old, who has more than 300 Test wickets, is playing his first Test after serving a one-month ban for cocaine use earlier this year. "It means a lot for me playing for South Africa, I give my all each and every time. I am so happy to do the job out there," Rabada told Sky Sports. Australia have struggled to find an opening partner for Khawaja since David Warner's retirement 17 months ago, with Marnus Labuschagne the latest batsman tried out. The 30-year-old, without a Test century for nearly two years, battled hard for 17 off 56 balls before falling to towering left-armer Jansen. Australia had been in similar trouble in the 2023 final against India across London at The Oval, only for Smith and Travis Head to both score hundreds as they turned the match in their favour. Head, however, could only manage 11 before he glanced Jansen, with Kyle Verreynne holding an excellent diving one-handed catch. Smith went to fifty before falling to part-time spinner Markram after Jansen, at slip, clung on at the third attempt. Australia lost their last five wickets for just 20 runs, with Rabada ending the innings when he bowled Starc. Rabada's haul meant he surpassed Allan Donald's tally of 330 Test wickets in his 71st match compared to the retired South Africa great's 72 Tests. "That's awesome," said Rabada. "Allan Donald, what a legend, it means a lot to get past someone like him." (AFP)
