Joe has pride in Group 1 win over league titles

By Glenn Davis

Self-confessed league tragic Joe Pride would like to see his beloved South Sydney win another grand final, but he wouldn’t swap it for a Group 1 win with one of his favourite horses, Private Eye.

Private Eye will be given two chances of claiming his second win at the highest level, starting with the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

His second chance of the Queensland Racing Carnival will come in the $3 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm next month.

Pride, who cheered on NSW in their State Of Origin win over Queensland on Wednesday night, has been a life-long supporter of his beloved South Sydney in the NRL.

“I’ve followed South Sydney since I was a kid watching them with my dad,” Pride said.

“We (Souths) have won the premiership, but I wouldn’t swap it for a Group 1.

“Winning a Group 1 is more important for me as it’s a personal achievement than winning a premiership with Souths.”

Pride is delighted with Private Eye despite an interrupted preparation due to Sydney’s big wet.

He was originally scheduled to have a third barrier trial at Rosehill last Friday before they were washed out.

However, Pride managed to squeeze in a third trial at Warwick Farm on Tuesday where Private Eye finished fifth over 824 metres behind the Ciaron Maher-trained Glenbower on a heavy track.

“I wanted to give him three barrier trials before the Kingsford Smith,” Pride said.

“He had his third trial at Warwick Farm on Tuesday, but it was only a quiet one as the track was heavy and it was close to the race.

“He’s getting older, but he looks enormous and is moving well.

“Age doesn’t really worry me with horses like him as he can race on like Eduardo did to nine so there’s a bit of life left in him.”

Private Eye is a $8.50 chance in early markets for the Kingsford Smith Cup and will be having his first start since finishing fourth to the Bjorn Baker-trained Robusto in the Group 2 The Ingham at Randwick in the middle of December.

The rising eight-year-old is on his fifth trip to the Sunshine State where his only win was in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas at Eagle Farm in 2021.

The following year he finished eighth behind the Desleigh Forster-trained Apache Chase in the Kingsford Smith Cup and second to the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Alligator Blood in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm.

He also finished fifth to Rothfire in the Group 2 Victory Stakes in 2023 while last year he came north for one run finishing fourth to Bella Nipotina in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000.

Overall, Private Eye has competed 15 times at the highest level, but his only success was in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick in 2021.