Trainer Joe Pride is highly likely to field a duo in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap, with anticipated intermittent rain over the coming week pointing him towards accepting with his talented galloper Ceolwulf. The significant Randwick mile race has long been a target for stablemate Attica, while Pride has maintained flexibility with Ceolwulf, whose primary objective remains the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) set for October 17.
Ceolwulf achieved victory in the Epsom two years prior on his path to securing his first King Charles title. He repeated this pattern 12 months ago, finishing sixth in the Epsom before clinching consecutive renewals of the Everest Day feature.
“I reckon we’ll have two runners, Attica and Ceolwulf. I’m confident now with the rain around and a bit more at the end of the week,” Pride stated.
“I was happy to go straight to the King Charles if I needed to, but I’m also happy to give him the ‘prep’ I’ve given him for the last two years to get to the King Charles, which is running in the Epsom. I think we’re going to get the opportunity to do that. I haven’t locked it in yet, but I’d suggest we will.”
Ceolwulf is assigned 59kg for the Epsom, a weight not carried to victory by any horse with that weight or more since Super Impose triumphed with 61kg back in 1991. Pride is fully aware of the formidable challenge Ceolwulf faces and hopes the gelding secures a favourable barrier draw at Tuesday’s event to lessen the difficulty.
A rain-affected track on Saturday is also considered crucial, with wet weather predicted for the latter part of the week. “You don’t want to draw outside fifteen because he’d be going right back and giving away a ridiculous start,” Pride commented. “Between five and ten, you’re probably two or three lengths closer. It’s a race we’ve used successfully. He won it two years ago, but he won it with about 54 kilos so winning it with 59, it’s not beyond him because he’s such a good horse, but it would want to be a bit of a wet track.”
Currently, Ceolwulf is listed at $15 in pre-post betting markets. The market is jointly led by Chris Waller’s Autumn Boy and the undefeated New Zealander Well Written, both at $3.50. Attica is being monitored at $6.
For those looking to place a wager, the current racing odds for the Epsom Handicap can be found at Australian betting sites.