Full of Pride for Eduardo

JOE Pride was moved to declare Eduardo the best horse he has trained after a brilliant display of sustained speed at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

The supposed race in two between Eduardo and Masked Crusader didn’t eventuate as Pride’s sprinter ran his rivals ragged in the $1m Classique Legend Stakes (1300m).

“Eduardo’s an amazing horse, easily the best I have ever trained,’’ Pride said.

“It was always Terravista but if he is not better than Terravista then I am not being honest with myself.’’

No one was arguing with Pride after Eduardo’s outstanding barrier-to-post effort to beat a crack field of sprinters. It was another huge payday for Eduardo’s connections who collected the $580,000 first place prizemoney – and a $750,000 bonus after backing up from his third behind Nature Strip in The TAB Everest.

Eduardo ($3 favourite) jumped straight to the front, was beautifully rated by Nash Rawiller and dashed clear in the straight to win by 1¼ lengths from a brave Lost And Running ($7.50) with twoand-a-quarter lengths to Standout ($21).

Jockey Tommy Berry felt Masked Crusader had raced like a horse that had come to the end of his preparation.