Joe Pride is eager for his charge, Private Eye, to be positioned forward in the upcoming Shannon Stakes, believing that if this tactic is employed, the seasoned competitor is the one to beat.

Following a strong second-place finish on his return in the Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield last month, where he raced prominently, the gelding dropped back from an outside barrier in the Tramway Stakes and failed to make an impact.

However, with barrier three for Saturday’s 1500-metre Rosehill event, Pride anticipates a different outcome.

“It has been a long time since he’s raced well from off the pace, and this is a horse who came from nearly last to win an Epsom and from dead-last to win a Queensland Guineas,” Pride said.

“He was a different horse in the early part of his life. Now he’s a bit of a flat track bully and likes to get on-speed with no horses in front of him.

“I think he’ll get the right scenario there on Saturday.”

Private Eye secured his last three victories, all carrying significant weight, by racing close to the lead. These wins included last year’s Moonga and Lawrence Stakes, both over 1400 metres at Caulfield, and the 2024 Festival Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill over the same distance as Saturday’s race.

Should he find himself in a comparable position, Pride is of the opinion that he will be challenging to overtake, particularly with a weight impost only two kilograms heavier than the favourite, Skyhook.

“I was giggling to myself thinking if the real Private Eye turns up, some of these horses won’t see which way he goes,” Pride said.

“I could point to three or four runs from his last ten, maybe more, that would win this race.

“I think it’s just a matter of him jumping, putting himself in a good spot, and he’ll take care of the rest.”

Stablemate Estadio Mestalla is also slated to compete in the Shannon Stakes (1500m) and will need to improve on his unplaced first-up effort behind Skyhook.

At eight years of age, he is one year younger than Private Eye. While he doesn’t possess the same class as his stablemate, he has provided his connections with a rewarding journey, accumulating over $1.7 million in prize money.

“I wouldn’t write him off. He’s a tough horse,” Pride stated. “He doesn’t win that often, but he runs so many seconds in good races. He’s never far away and I don’t think he’ll be far away on Saturday.”

Punters looking to get involved can find competitive racing odds at leading Australian betting sites.