The multiple-Group 1 winning trainer is sending a team of horses up the coast, headlined by Brutality in the feature event, and Easy Eddie in the Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m).
Joseph Pride has targeted the $500,000 The Coast (1600m) with Brutality since the race was announced.
“He was in the paddock and I pulled him straight out of the paddock,” he said.
“He’d had sort of three weeks off, and he might’ve had a little bit longer if this race hadn’t had been announced, but when it did I thought it looked like an ideal race for him.”Given it’s this time of year, I figured we’d be a good chance of getting a wet track which we look like doing anyway at this stage.”
Six-year-old Easy Eddie will take his place in the Listed Takeover Target Stakes over 1200m and is another runner hoping for a rain effected track on Saturday.
The son of Super Easy finished second in this race in 2019 and then went on to place in The Galaxy on a wet track.
Pride has been waiting for the moment to get him onto a wet track.
“It’s been a long time waiting to get him on a rain effected surface. Hopefully that track is as wet a possible for him on Saturday,” he said.
“He’s another one who hasn’t had many wet tracks in his life, and he certainly hasn’t had many in the last couple of years since he won the Maurice McCarten and ran a place in the Galaxy.
“He’s in terrific order and he’s been racing really well on unsuitable tracks and I think the switch back to a wet surface should really bring out the very best in him.”
Up-and-coming stable star Private Eye has been sent to the paddock after winning the Group 2 Queensland Guineas at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Pride said the son of Al Maher pulled up well, but was sent for a break so the three-year-old can be ready for the $7.5 million Golden Eagle.
“He pulled up good, I’ve put him in the paddock,” he said.
“He wasn’t crying out for a spell but I just figured the timing of it all was that it was better he has a break now, and then I know I’ve given him the best possible chance to have a crack at that eaglecome October-November.”It’s an age group that hasn’t won much beyond beating their own age so far, these three-year-olds.
“I figure as four-year-olds they’re the ones I want to compete against and giving him that opportunity for a race that’s worth so much money seems a smart thing to do.”
Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au