Private Eye locked in for Supernova as Nadal chases Meteorite repeat

Ladbrokes has confirmed Private Eye as its flagship runner for next month’s $1 million Supernova.

The Joe Pride-trained star, a $12.7 million prizemoney earner, will be partnered by Nash Rawiller.

“This race is the right move for him. He travels so well down to Melbourne and we actually stay at Pakenham,” Pride said.

“He’s been down twice this year and it has worked really well.”

“He will be champing at the bit by then. He goes so well off the back of these freshen-ups now. 1400m looks like his perfect distance – it might have been that way his whole career, but there hasn’t been enough prizemoney around for him at the top level until now.”

Meanwhile, Nadal returns to defend his Meteorite crown, the other rich Southside slot race run this Saturday, despite a disappointing run on a heavy track at Flemington earlier this month.

Slot-holder and trainer Ciaron Maher has forgiven the effort, convinced the conditions were simply too testing.

“The heavy track could possibly have been the difference, although he does like a bit of give,” Maher told racing.com.

“Maybe it was a bit wet for him, but I was disappointed with his run as we know he’s got it there. His work was good leading into the last race, but he just never showed up.”

“The Meteorite will be a vastly different race, and I am expecting a different result. It’s at Cranbourne with the pace on and at Flemington he was exposed with no cover, and it was probably wetter than he wanted.”

Need Some Luck will represent Ladbrokes on Saturday in the Meteorite after winning the Listed Fisher Stakes at Flemington on Champions Stakes Day.

“Having Need Some Luck selected for the Meteorite is incredibly meaningful to us. Moments like this remind us why we love this sport – the hope, the hard work, and the heart of a horse who keeps giving,” said owner, Edwina Throsby.