It’s not often a jockey walks away satisfied after being beaten on a star horse, but that’s exactly how Chad Schofield felt after Ceolwulf finished runner-up to Lindermann in the Chelmsford Stakes.
After a forgettable autumn in which the gelding’s campaign was cut short by feet issues and a minor bleed, Schofield was rapt with Ceolwulf’s effort to storm home from last on the corner in a race dominated by the leader.
It followed a first-up fifth to Autumn Glow in the Winx Stakes (1400m), but it was Ceolwulf’s Chelmsford performance that proved to Schofield the horse was back.
“He got beaten, but I left the races very happy because I feel like Joe (Pride) has got him right where he wants him and he’s tracking very well for the races later on,” Schofield said.
“He didn’t come up last ‘prep’, but that’s probably why I left the races so happy. He felt as good as he has ever felt. For me, that was the main thing.
“We know he’s a horse that comes good for his grand finals and at the end of his prep and that seems to be the case again.”
Ceolwulf will step out for his third start of the campaign in Saturday’s 7 Stakes (1600m) at Randwick where he will again clash with Autumn Glow.
From the trainer’s perspective, Pride isn’t convinced the race will offer the backmarker his ideal set-up, especially from the outside gate in seven, but he’s confident of another bold run.
“I don’t know if we’re guaranteed any more tempo here again, but it would be nice,” Pride said.
“The horse is ready though. He’s had his two runs back now, so he’s getting into that zone where he starts to do his best.”
The winner of the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) for the past two years, Ceolwulf’s attempt at a three-peat is yet to be locked in by Pride.
While he has no doubt the conditions of the feature suit his charge, he’s mindful it’s the carnival target of Autumn Glow and if she continues on that path, it may be enough to sway Pride in another direction.
“I haven’t one hundred per cent decided whether we’re going King Charles or Cox Plate. Saturday will probably help mould that decision and send us the right way,” Pride said.
“He’s got four group ones at 1600 metres, so I’d be pretty brave saying he’s better at 2000 metres, but that doesn’t mean he can’t win a good Group One over 2000.
“I’m thinking about his opposition more than about him in that regard.”
Stablemates Headley Grange and Private Eye have both been paid up for the Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m), the race a stepping stone to bigger targets deeper in their respective campaigns.
“It’s really just a pathway race for them,” Pride said.
“Private Eye needs to get his confidence back. Headley Grange, he doesn’t lack confidence, but he might run there because we’re going to eventually go to the Alan Brown (Stakes).”
Both will be partnered by their regular riders, Adam Hyeronimus on Headley Grange and Nash Rawiller aboard Private Eye.
