Racing
A huge day for Chad Schofield awaits
Form jockey Chad Schofield is banking on Ceolwulf’s outstanding Randwick mile record to make a race of it with super mare Autumn Glow on Saturday.
But Ceolwulf is rated a $12 chance despite being a three-time Group 1 winner over the Randwick 1600m course with successive triumphs in the King Charles III Stakes (2024-25) and the Epsom Handicap (2024).
Schofield, who also rides brilliant filly Tempted in the Group 1 $750,000 Surround Stakes (1400m) at the Randwick meeting, maintains Ceolwulf did more than enough when resuming with his sixth, beaten about five lengths, in Autumn Glow's Apollo Stakes two weeks ago.
"It was a normal pass mark for Ceolwulf,'' Schofield said.
"We just know from past preparations how much he improves run to run.''
Schofield, who rode a treble at Rosehill last Saturday including a Group 2 double on Stretan Ruler (Silver Slipper) and Cinsault (Millie Fox Stakes), stopped short of predicting a Ceolwulf boilover in the Verry Elleegant Stakes but he expects trainer Joe Pride's stable star to be very competitive against Autumn Glow.
"We just want to see him hit the line full of running,'' Schofield said.
"We know how good he is over the Randwick mile but he is also early in his preparation and he won't have his blinkers on.
"But he's an extremely talented horse and hopefully he will be attacking the line.''
"Tempted was very dynamic first-up,'' Schofield said.
"She has obviously raced at an extremely high level and it was just good to see her come back and do that three weeks ago.''
Schofield also dismissed any concerns Tempted may have stretching her brilliance to 1400m.
"She is a filly that really relaxes in her races and that should ensure she gets the trip,'' he said.
Schofield rides the John Thompson-trained Screen Icon in the Group 2 $300,000 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) but it will take something special from the filly to have the jockey re-thinking his Golden Slipper ambitions after Stretan Ruler's impressive win last week.
"The Golden Slipper picture has definitely become a lot more exciting for me after Stretan Ruler won,'' Schofield said.
"I loved his acceleration, loved his whole demeanour, and I loved how strong he was through the line.
"He ticked every box for me in the Silver Slipper. He is pretty much bombproof, a very exciting colt.''
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