After being forced to cut short the autumn campaign of Ceolwulf, Joe Pride has one very good reason to believe the four-time Group One winner can return to his best this preparation.
Spelled after just two runs last time in due to a combination of feet issues and a minor bleed, the star miler will resume in Saturday’s Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
Pride isn’t expecting a winning return, but he is anticipating a bold run as the gelding heads towards his major goal of a third successive win in the King Charles III Stakes (1600m).
“He needed a good rest, and he’s now had that rest,” Pride said.
“We’ll see a better version of him this spring, and it has always been a good time of year for him.
“He’s won his four Group Ones all in the spring, and I don’t think it’s coincidental.”
The only time Ceolwulf has featured in the placings first-up was on debut, but he was competitive in the Winx Stakes (1400m) last year, closing late to finish fourth to Via Sistina.
Against a deep field on Saturday, Pride will be content to see him hitting the line with gusto, although any downgrade of the track from its current soft 7 rating will be in the horse’s favour.
“I think it’s going to come down to track conditions on the day. If it ends up being a bit wet and a few of the key chances come out, he could end up being a top three chance,” Pride said.
“But I’ve certainly learned not to expect too much of him early in his preparations.
“He’s never won first-up. He’s run some nice races, but that’s all I need to see from him, a nice return, and he’ll build into the preparation as he always does.”
Regular rider Chad Schofield will partner Ceolwulf, who was a $34 chance on Thursday with markets dominated by outstanding mares Autumn Glow ($1.85 fav) and Sheza Alibi ($3.10).
Sheza Alibi was originally expected to resume in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield next week before connections had a change of heart and entered her for Sydney.
Co-trainer, Katherine Coleman, indicated the Doncaster Mile heroine was on target to take her place at Randwick with training partner Peter Moody readying to travel with the Victorian mare overnight on Thursday.
“Pete and her strapper Mitch are heading up with her tonight (Thursday)…and hopefully they can get the job done,” Coleman told Sydney’s Sky Sports Radio.
“She’s by no means screwed down going into Saturday. We’ve been pretty vocal the grand final this time around is the Golden Eagle, so there is plenty of water to go under the bridge before we get there and that’s when we want to be peaking.
“Definitely plenty of improvement to come out of having the trip away and the run on Saturday, but she goes there in really good order.”
