Joe Pride has spotted an anomaly in the otherwise outstanding record of his high-class sprinter Private Eye, and it has made him wonder whether the horse’s slight form slump is seasonal. The 11-time winner and proven Group 1 performer is yet to strike a blow during the Sydney autumn carnival, his best

Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Will and J D Hayes have elected to keep Grid Girl in Melbourne for another start before the possibility of tackling Stakes company. Grid Girl will run in the Mornington Guineas (1600m) on Saturday rather than travel to Adelaide for the Listed HC Nitschke Stakes (1400m) on the

David Payne has taken the blame for Navajo Peak’s disappointing campaign, but he remains adamant the horse will respond to a distance rise in the JRA Plate at Randwick. The five-year-old posted the most significant win of his career in last year’s Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m), prompting Payne to target

With the potential of a jockey shortage at Mornington, trainer Grahame Begg and owner Gary Towzell got on the front foot in the search of a jockey for Maharba at Mornington. The three-year-old runs in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) on Saturday, but longer-term Wagga-based Towzell has his eyes on a feature

Connections of Champagne Stakes contender Fearless will revert to riding the colt cold as they bid to harness the youngster’s best asset. Co-trainer Paul Snowden felt Fearless became too competitive when settling midfield and between runners in the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) last start, tiring late to finish sixth. His

New Zealanders Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray have their heart set on winning a start in the Caulfield Cup at Mornington. The Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on Saturday offers the winner a start in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) in October, a race Ritchie would like to see lightly raced