Joe Pride has brushed off criticism of Chad Schofield’s ride on Ceolwulf in the Winx Stakes, backing the pair to atone at Randwick.
Schofield came under fire for steering wide while Via Sistina and Aeliana saved ground inside, with Ceolwulf charging late to finish fourth. Pride admitted a different choice might have been made in hindsight but defended the split-second call.
“Normally coming out wide on heavy tracks without getting kick back is the thing to do. It was a split second decision,” Pride said. “Chad was the first one to put his hand up and say it was the wrong one. That’s racing, we move on.”
Ceolwulf, even-money favourite for the Chelmsford Stakes (1600m), will jump from an inside draw on Saturday.
Pride also saddles up Private Eye in the Tramway Stakes, while stablemates Dragonstone and In Flight contest the Concorde Stakes.
In Flight has won her past three starts, including a Caulfield Group 3, and Pride says she “doesn’t know how to get beaten at the moment.”