“It looks a funny start to the prep doesn’t it, you think ‘what the hell is he doing in this race’.

“He’s never won first-up and he generally needs a run, and he’s actually coming off the longest spell I’ve ever given him.

“What I didn’t want to do was run him in the Premiere. He’s not ready for a gut-busting run against good horses.

“If he wins, good luck to him. He can win because I think he’s flying, but I also know he will improve with a run under his belt.’’

Easy Eddie hasn’t raced since the Doomben 10,000 back in May, where he put in a rare poor performance, but   Pride  feels like the horse is in super shape for the spring.

He has had two barrier trials, winning the latest at Warwick Farm on September 24 with Robbie Dolan in the saddle.

The five-year-old is a $3.40 with TAB and has 61.5kg to contend with after Dolan’s claim but will likely only have four rivals, and Pride said if he is beaten it won’t be the weight.

“I’ll never forget the day I saddled up for John Size at Randwick one day, a horse called Stanzaic, and he had 64kg,’’ he said.

“Brian York didn’t move a muscle on him. Right there and then I was convinced that if they were good enough they’ll carry the weight.

“He rarely misses a place. He’s a bit like Ball Of Muscle at the same point. He is going to get better with age and doesn’t know how to run a bad race.

“For me it’s not about winning, it’s about him returning well and if he wins, it’s a bonus.’’

Best Bets

Race 6: (1) Master Of Wine

Race 8: (1) Bergen

Best value

Race 7 (11) Napoleon Solo