Chad Schofield has good reason to believe a wide barrier isn’t a death knell to the chances of the John Thompson-trained Screen Idol in the $2 million Inglis Millennium at Randwick.
The top Sydney jockey has captured the race twice before, most recently aboard Learning To Fly who like Screen Idol drew the second outside gate.
“When I won on Learning To Fly, it drew wide (barrier 15 of 16) too,” Schofield said.
“This is a different type of filly. Learning To Fly sat last and rounded them up. This filly is a bit speedier, so we’ll see.”
By Nature Strip’s sire Nicconi, Screen Idol belied her big odds on debut to just miss behind Shiki in the Gimcrack Stakes (1000m).
She has trialled twice in preparation for her return and Schofield, who has been with the filly all the way through, is satisfied she has continued to make good progression.
“She’s going really well. She was unlucky not to win the Gimcrack. She covered ground that day and just kept finding the line,” he said.
“John tipped her out and she has come back a more mature, stronger filly. She’s got no favours from the barrier draw but she’ll be tough. She will be there late.”
Schofield links with Godolphin first starter Threads in the Listed Lonhro Plate (1000m) and is bullish about his chances after partnering him in two barrier trials.
Trained by Ciaron Maher, Threads is the first foal to race out of Group 3 winner Tailleur and Schofield won’t be surprised to see him make his mark in the better juvenile races.
“I think he’s a very talented two-year-old colt and it’s exciting to kick him off on Saturday,” he said.
“It’s a good start off race for him. He’s drawn well and I think he’s a horse that could race into the two-year-old features.”
Schofield has a full book of 10 rides at Randwick highlighted by top filly Tempted for Maher in the Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m).
