Controversy marred Ceolwulf’s (NZ) (Tavistock) return in the Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) but trainer Joe Pride has taken a philosophical view of Chad Schofield’s ride, backing horse and jockey to make amends at Randwick.
Schofield was criticised on social media for scouting wide on Ceolwulf around the home turn as eventual winner and runner-up, Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) and Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio), saved ground closer to the inside.
Ceolwulf flashed home to finish fourth, beaten 2-1/2 lengths, and while Pride said Schofield may have taken a different option if given his time again, he was equally adamant it was an on-the-spot call made for the right reasons.
“It was a first-up run and he was playing the percentages,” Pride said.
“Normally coming out wide on heavy tracks without getting kick back is the thing to do. It was a split second decision.
“Chad was the first one to put his hand up and say it was the wrong one. That’s racing, we move on and here we are second-up.
“The inside draw on Saturday will hopefully make Chad’s job a little bit easier and I can’t wait to get to the races with him.”
Ceolwulf will have his next start in the Gr.2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick and is a dominant even money favourite.
Pride is heading there bullish, saying that while the result might not have been perfect first-up, he couldn’t fault the horse’s performance and that has given him confidence Ceolwulf can return to the form he showed last year when winning a brace of majors.
“It looked like the Ceolwulf of last spring,” he said.
“He’s got a really distinctive galloping action and it just looked exactly like it did when he won the King Charles (III Stakes, (Gr.1, 1600m)) and the Epsom (Handicap (Gr.1, 1600m)), the way he was stretching out.”
