It is uncommon for a jockey to depart a race feeling content after a defeat on a prominent horse, yet that was precisely Chad Schofield’s sentiment following Ceolwulf’s second-place finish behind Lindermann in the Chelmsford Stakes.
Following a disappointing autumn campaign that was curtailed by foot ailments and a minor bleed, Schofield was delighted with Ceolwulf’s performance to surge from the rear of the field on the bend in a race dictated by the frontrunner.
This effort followed a fifth-place debut behind Autumn Glow in the Winx Stakes (1400m), but it was Ceolwulf’s run in the Chelmsford Stakes that convinced Schofield the horse had recaptured his best form.
“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 stated.
“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 is set to contest his third race of the current preparation in Saturday’s 7 Stakes (1600m) at Randwick, where he will once again face Autumn Glow.
From a trainer’s viewpoint, Pride harbours doubts that the race will provide the backmarker with an ideal scenario, particularly from the widest barrier in seven, but he remains confident of another strong showing.
“I don’t know if we’re guaranteed any more tempo here again, but it would be nice,” Pride commented.
“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.”
Having secured victory in the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) for the past two years, Ceolwulf’s bid for a third consecutive win has not yet been finalised by Pride.
While he has no reservations that the conditions of the feature race suit his charge, he is mindful that it is a carnival objective for Autumn Glow and if she maintains that focus, it might lead Pride to consider alternative targets.
“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 revealed.
“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 entered for the Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m), with the race serving as a preliminary step towards more significant objectives later in their respective campaigns.
“It’s really just a pathway race for them,” Pride explained.
“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 ridden by their regular jockey partners, Adam Hyeronimus partnering Headley Grange and Nash Rawiller guiding Private Eye. The 7 Stakes offers a good opportunity for punters to get involved with Australian betting sites.
