Jockey Chad Schofield may attribute his initial opportunities with top horses Tempted and Ceolwulf to good fortune and timing, but it is his adeptness and execution that have solidified his place.

Schofield has forged a remarkable connection with both racehorses, a partnership that will extend to the pinnacle of the Sydney spring carnival. Tempted is set to compete against Hong Kong’s renowned galloper Ka Ying Rising in the Everest (1200m), while Ceolwulf will contest the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) against the benchmark mare Autumn Glow.

His association with Tempted commenced as a single booking. However, as Schofield consistently delivered strong performances, the partnership evolved into an impressive five-start unbeaten streak, with the potential for further success.

“I guess I was lucky to get on her in the first place. She was already a high-profiled and credentialled horse, but she’s obviously gone to a new level since then,” Schofield remarked.

“I got on her as a race-to-race proposition, but I’ve just been lucky enough to keep getting the job done on her. Long may it continue.”

Schofield has cultivated a comparable bond with Ceolwulf, one that has a longer history.

The horse and jockey first joined forces to secure the 2024 Epsom Handicap and King Charles III Stakes double. Since then, Schofield has been aboard Ceolwulf for all but one of his 17 subsequent starts.

The rider firmly believes that an intimate understanding of a horse can be a decisive factor in elite racing.

“Horses like Tempted and Ceolwulf, now that I’ve ridden them as much as I have, I feel like I know them as well as I possibly can,” he stated.

“I know exactly how they like to be ridden, what their assets are. They’ve both got similar styles in terms of how they race.”

“I’m just very lucky to be able to go to the races on Saturday knowing I can hop on those two horses.”

While Ceolwulf aims for his third King Charles III Stakes (1600m) title, Tempted is considered Australia’s prime contender to halt Ka Ying Rising’s remarkable 21-race winning streak.

Schofield is satisfied with her barrier draw of one. He notes that while her recent victories have been impressive, her best is yet to be seen.

“Her two runs this ‘prep’ she has drawn wide, and I’ve had to reverse park to get cover and bring her back,” he explained.

“At least from that draw I’ll be able to let her be as close or far back as she wants to be.”

“I feel like she’s getting better too. She was very good last prep as a three-year-old, but she’s come back bigger and better. She was awesome first-up, she improved on that second-up, and she’ll be peaking now.”

Regarding Tempted’s prospects against the world’s top-rated horse in the planet’s most lucrative turf race?

“I think she can,” Schofield affirmed.

“It’s hard to say because we don’t know how he’s travelled, or how he’s going to handle the conditions. But all I know is Tempted is flying and she will handle the conditions.”

“If he comes out and beats Tempted, I’ll take my hat off to him because I know how good Tempted is.”

For those looking to back a winner on Everest day, consider exploring the latest racing odds available at Australian betting sites.