Significant overnight rainfall in Sydney has delighted trainer Joe Pride, who believes the wetter the track, the better for Ceolwulf as he aims for a third consecutive King Charles III Stakes victory.
Randwick experienced heavy conditions on Wednesday, and despite varying weather predictions, the Bureau of Meteorology anticipates up to 12mm of additional rain this week.
Ceolwulf has demonstrated strong form on heavy ground, securing two wins and a placing from four starts, including his triumph in last year’s Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington. Consequently, the prospect of challenging conditions on Saturday poses no concern for his conditioner.
“The more the better,” Pride commented regarding the rain forecast. “He’s a great wet tracker. After he won the King Charles last year and went to Melbourne, the track he won on there was bottomless and he thrived on it. It has fallen into place beautifully so far. I’ve got a few days to go, and I don’t take them for granted. Every moment before the race there’s an opportunity for things not to go to plan, but I’m extremely pleased with the horse and I couldn’t have scripted it better, at this stage anyway, with the set of circumstances we’re going into the race with.”
These circumstances also involve the presence of the fast-starting frontrunner Pride Of Jenni. Initially not slated for the King Charles, she was among the select six acceptors on Wednesday.
Her inclusion guarantees a brisk pace in the $5 million race. While Pride Of Jenni is a formidable competitor on her own, Pride is optimistic that the Victorian mare might also disrupt the plans of the star galloper and race favourite, Autumn Glow.
“She’s a very good mare (Pride Of Jenni), and her being there is another very good horse to beat,” Pride stated. “But it potentially takes Autumn Glow out of her comfort zone a little bit more than what she has been these first couple of runs back. Under the scenario where it’s a sit and sprint home, I’m stating the obvious – she (Autumn Glow) is better than us at that. I want to take her to hopefully a place she hasn’t been before, and with Pride Of Jenni in the race there’s the potential to do that.”
Ceolwulf has followed the path of the Epsom Handicap (1600m) to the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) for the past two years, a strategy Pride has employed again.
However, future plans might differ, with a potential start in the Cox Plate just seven days later still a possibility.
The trainer has not dismissed the idea of Ceolwulf backing up in the weight-for-age championship, which is being held at Flemington this year, but a decision will be deferred until after Saturday’s contest.
“Probably a decision on Sunday morning about whether we take him down for the Cox Plate, and if he doesn’t he’ll go for the Champions Stakes,” Pride concluded. Ceolwulf will also be equipped with blinkers for the King Charles II Stakes, a gear change not used earlier in his current campaign.
For those looking to bet on the King Charles III Stakes, explore the comprehensive Australian betting sites available for the best racing odds.