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Joe Pride is looking forward to seeing Eduardo return to Melbourne for the first time since he took over the training of the crack sprinter in 2020 when the flying eight-year-old lines up in a red-hot running of the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes on Saturday.
Eduardo is rated a 3/1 chance to get the better of his old rival Nature Strip in a race which is also set to feature the likes of Home Affairs and Profiteer, who is unbeaten down the Flemington straight.
Eduardo won three of his 12 starts for Sarah Zschoke in 2020 before joining Pride, with the gelding's record now standing at ten wins from 24 starts and over $5.6million in prize-money.
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"I can't wait," Pride said. "Next Saturday I will be at Flemington watching him and I'm very excited. "He has had a look at the straight in a former life and that's what we're counting on."
Pride hopes Eduardo is drawn beside Nature Strip when the final field and barriers are announced on Wednesday morning.
"I don't think he cares where he races. He is just honest and consistent and he will just be happy to see his mate Nature Strip there beside him."
Eduardo has the pace early from the barriers, but regular rider Nash Rawiller can also be in a stalking position behind Nature Strip, who is aiming for a second straight Lightning victory.
"We are going to wait and see what it looks like with the barrier draw and everything else," Pride said.
"I leave it to Nash every time on race day, but this horse is a really a tough horse and we never want to take his best weapon away from him, which is his speed and his fight.
"It is going to be a fantastic race."
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