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Private Eye Mows Them Down in Show County

Mark Smith - Saturday August 21

The big-hearted Al Maher gelding Private Eye loves to win, and he is good at it.

Perfectly timed. Private Eye knows where the finishing line is (image Steve Hart)

After Brenton Avdulla was injured in the previous race, Jay Ford was in the saddle on the Joe Pride-trained gelding in Saturday’s Group III Mostyn Copper Show County Quality (1200m) at Randwick.

Private Eye came with a relentless gallop from back in the field to run down Embracer (Sebring) by a short-neck with a further length back to Icebath (Sacred Falls)  

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The Proven Thoroughbreds colour-bearer was making his first start since winning the Group II Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm on May 1.

“That was incredible. He’s had such a good prep so far. His trials have been so much better this time,” stable representative Orla Pearl said.

A $62,500 Magic Millions Adelaide purchase for Proven Thoroughbreds/Pride Thoroughbreds/ from the Ambergate Farm draft, Private Eye advances his record to seven wins and a second from 10 starts with earnings of $558,260.

Bred by Goodwood Farm, Private Eye is the best of two winners from as many to race out of Confidential Queen, a half-sister by Shamardal (USA) to Group III placed King’s Troop from the family of Group I winner and champion sire Snitzel and Hinchinbrook.

Confidential Queen missed in 2018 and 2019 and was covered last spring by Shalaa (IRE).

A long-time servant at Emirates Park, Al Maher covered 30 mares at Independent Stallions last season at a fee of $8,800.

Al Maher

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Race Result - Mostyn Copper Show County Qlty Gr3 1200m

Randwick Track: Good(4) Time: 1:10.20
1
Private Eye
- 4g Al Maher (AUS) x Confidential Queen (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: J Ford 54
2
0.2
Embracer
- 6g Sebring (AUS) x Leone Chiara (AUS) (Lion Hunter (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 53.5
Sebring
3
1.2
Icebath
- 5m Sacred Falls (NZ) x Fabulist (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Brad Widdup Rdr: K Mc Evoy 57.5
4
1.3
Splintex
- 5h Snitzel (AUS) x Acquired (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Mark Newnham Rdr: J Parr 59
5
1.6
Prime Star
- 4g Starspangledbanner (AUS) x Barinka (NZ) (Shinko King (IRE))
Tnr: R & M Freedman Rdr: Regan Bayliss 55.5
6
2.4
Fender
- 5g Toronado (IRE) x Ceccanti (AUS) (Arena (AUS))
Tnr: B F Cavanough Rdr: J R Collett 54
7
2.7
Chat
- 5g Deep Field (AUS) x Only Words (AUS) (End Sweep (USA))
Tnr: John Thompson Rdr: J Bowman 56.5
8
2.8
Rock
- 6g Pierro (AUS) x Subtitle (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Tommy Berry 57.5
9
3.6
Hightail
- 5g Written Tycoon (AUS) x La Paris (AUS) (Falvelon (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: A Adkins 53
10
4.6
Le Lude
- 6m Lope De Vega (IRE) x Second Draw (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: John Thompson Rdr: Rachel King 53
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