Theo Marks Next Up For Private Eye

With Saturday's Rosehill meeting transferred to Kembla Grange due to the current COVID situation, the running of the Gr2 Theo Marks Stakes will see Joe Pride-trained Private Eye (Al Maher-Confidential Queen, by Shamardal) start one of the favoured runners off the back of his Gr3 Show County Quality victory first up from a spell. Successful up to 1600m when winning the Gr2 Queensland Guineas, 4YO Private Eye steps up to the 1300m second up from a spell in what should be an ideal rise in distance. Purchased by Jamie Walter's Proven Thoroughbreds from the draft of Ambergate Farm at the 2019 Magic Millions Yearling Sale for just $62,500, the Goodwood Farm-bred gelding has earned his connections just shy of $560,000 with no signs of that slowing down. From the same farm that has produced the likes of Gr1 winners Dance Hero (Danzero), Rebel Dane (California Dane), Manawanui (Oratorio) and Flying Artie (Artie Schiller), if Private Eye can continue to step up this campaign, it would come as no surprise to see him emulate fellow Goodwood Farm-foaled runners and achieve Group 1 success, with a race like the Epsom Handicap looking well within his grasp. Surprisingly, the race favouritism current sits with the Mark Newnham-trained Big Parade (Deep Field-Crystal Rock, by Fastnet Rock), a winner of six from 12, who has not yet contested a black-type race in his race career.

Private Eye excelled first-up in the Show County (pic: Steve Hart)