It might have only been trackwork but apprentice Chad Schofield still got a buzz out of riding Melbourne Cup winner Americain.
As thick fog rolled over Sydney racing’s headquarters early last Saturday morning, hours before More Joyous and company came out to play on Doncaster Day, 17-year-old Schofield put Americain through his paces in preparation for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
“He definitely gave me a big buzz. I didn’t want to get off him,” Schofield said of the Randwick gallop.
“He’s an incredible horse. It was the first time I’ve galloped him.
“I rode work at David Hayes’ property a couple of months ago and I saw him (Americain) when I was down there.
“I think that’s where the opportunity came from and Mr Hayes was good enough to let me gallop him at Randwick on Saturday.”
Americain, the 2010 Melbourne Cup winner, galloped with a horse from the Gai Waterhouse stable and left Schofield rapt about the workout.
“It was very thick fog, you could barely see that far in front of you. Even the trainer couldn’t see him. But his work was great,” he said.
The Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday promises to be one of the races of the Sydney Carnival with an array of stars on show.
More Joyous, with her seventh Group One success in the bag last weekend, will back-up in the race.
There is also in-form stayer Manighar, New Zealand’s Horse of the Year Jimmy Choux, dual Group One winners Secret Admirer and Rangirangdoo as well as Cox Plate placegetter Rekindled Interest and emerging talent Speediness.
With opportunities for apprentices limited during carnival time, Schofield will be at the provincials on Saturday.
“I’ll be riding at Newcastle but I’ll be watching the race and cheering for him (Americain),” Schofield said.
Star jockey Craig Williams has the ride on Americain in the Queen Elizabeth.
