Chad Schofield has been tipped as a future star of the saddle but the apprentice admits his first Group One rides have come sooner than expected.
Schofield will make his first appearance in the Group One arena aboard the David Hayes-trained outsider Bradman in the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
He’ll only have to wait two hours for his second as Hayes has also put the faith in him to partner Melbourne Cup hopeful Fictional Account in The Metropolitan (2400m).
“I didn’t expect it, to be honest,” the 18-year-old said.
“It was a pleasant surprise and I hope I can repay him by winning.”
Last season’s champion Sydney apprentice recently transferred his indentures to Hayes and moved from Sydney to the trainer’s base at Euroa in Victoria.
“I’ve only been down there about five weeks and together we’ve notched up plenty of winners, I think it’s about 16 or 17 winners,” Schofield said.
“I’m grateful for the opportunities.
“It’s my first Group One rides and I’ve got two on the same day. I can’t wait.”
Schofield says his approach won’t change as he prepares to ride at Sydney’s biggest meeting of the spring.
“Obviously there is more prizemoney on offer and more pressure, but I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
Bradman is the $101 outsider in the Spring Champion in a field which includes one of the most highly-touted colts in Australia in odds-on favourite Proisir.
But Schofield and Hayes believe Bradman will be on the speed and capable of figuring in the Spring Champion placings in the small field.
“Just put a line through his last start at Caulfield, it wasn’t one of my best rides,” Schofield said of the colt’s eighth to Hvasstan.
“He was wide all the way and still had the tenacity to keep finding the line. That was over the 1700 metres and he gave me every indication he would run the 2000 (metres).”
The imported Fictional Account appears a better chance than Bradman.
The mare was second in the JRA Cup (2500m) at Moonee Valley off an eight-week let-up and while the 2400m might still be a bit short of her best trip, Schofield says has the class to run well.
“We’re hoping she can get to the Melbourne Cup,” Schofield said.
“She’ll have to win tomorrow or she’ll have one more chance to win the Moonee Valley Cup to try to get in.”
