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Trainer Joseph Pride hunting second Group 1 Epsom Hanidcap win with smart galloper Ceolwulf

Talented galloper Ceolwulf holds nominations for both of next Saturday’s Group 1s but trainer Joe Pride believes the gelding will show his best at the mile.

Mitch Cohen
6 min read
September 29, 2024 - 8:51AM
Ceolwulf is one of the leading contenders for Saturday’s Epsom Handicap. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images
Ceolwulf is one of the leading contenders for Saturday’s Epsom Handicap. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images

Trainer Joe Pride is confident he’s pulled the right rein with classy galloper Ceolwulf as he prepares to hunt a Group 1 breakthrough in Saturday’s $1.5 million Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick.

Pride had Ceolwulf in consideration for both the Epsom Handicap and Group 1 $750,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) but was keen to step him back to a mile.

The son of Tavistock was a brilliant winner over 1500m at Rosehill Gardens two starts ago before finishing a narrow second to high

quality import Eliyass in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) last start.

“I was pretty much sold on the idea of running him in the Epsom when he won that race at Rosehill,” Pride said.

“He didn’t look like a mile and a half horse to me at that point and I just wanted to see him at the 2000m knowing it was going to be a prep for him.

“When I saw he dashed really well the other day, we decided to go that way.

“The pathways it opens up running him at a mile, was a no brainer.”

*Big bets review: $30,000 collect in the Golden Rose

Pride won the Epsom Handicap for the first time with stable weapon Private Eye in 2021 and Ceolwulf is a $6 second favourite to deliver him a second victory in the famous Randwick mile.

Cox Plate winning rider Chad Schofield has been booked for the ride of Ceolwulf at 54kg.

The barrier draw for the Epsom Handicap will be drawn for the feature will be conducted on Tuesday morning at Royal Randwick with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Royal Patronage currently a $4.50 favourite.

Chris Waller is expected to have a strong hand as he hunts a sixth Epsom Handicap victory.

Kovalica ($9) will be his top seed with the likes of Chrysoar, Democracy Manifest, McHale, Rediener and Osipenko among the potential runners.

It could end of up being a massive day for the Pride stable as the Warwick Farm conditioner will welcome back defending The Everest champion Think About It.

*Cummings masterminds historic Golden Rose quinella

Think About It makes his return in Saturday’s Premiere Stakes. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images
Think About It makes his return in Saturday’s Premiere Stakes. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images

Think About It is still to be locked in for the richest race on turf but can stake his claim in the Group 2 $1 million Premiere Stakes (1200m) where fellow Everest contenders Giga Kick and Bustling will line up.

“Think About It will be there in the Premiere Stakes,” Pride said.

“I think he is going super, he’s really good,”

Only six slots remain open for The Everest after Stefi Magnetica, Joliestar and I Am Me were all snapped up last week, joining I Wish I Win, Bustling and Bella Nipotina.

FIVE TO FOLLOW

WALTHAM (race 3)

Apprentice Zac Lloyd found himself in a tricky spot but the Matthew Smith-trained stayer would up nicely when he got clear air from the 250m mark. A race like the St Leger looks perfect for him.

UNUSUAL LEGACY (race 4)

Lost no admirers in his narrow defeat to stablemate Firestorm. If he can get into the Group 1 The Metropolitan field next weekend, he’s going to be fighting out the finish.

I’M A DIRTY RASCAL (race 4)

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained import was second up at 1900m but was doing his best work late down the outside to just miss the placings. Third up over more ground, he can run a big race.

TAVI TIME (race 6)

It was always going to be a tough essay from the wide draw but this bloke was doing his best work through the line in his first run back from a break. He’s in for a great preparation with plenty of options available to the five-year-old.

BROADSIDING (race 8)

No prizes for wanting to stick with this Godolphin colt. He was so impressive winning the Golden Rose first up and it’s going to take a good one to beat him as he steps up in trip this spring.

STEWARDS SAY

The Extreme Cat (race 1): Did not stretch out comfortably when placed under full pressure from the 400m and proceeded to give ground over the final 150m. Was found to be 3/5 lame in the off-foreleg and will be spelled.

Semana (race 7): Apprentice Dylan Gibbons thought she was slightly disappointing closing off but pulled up satisfactorily. The stable were unable to offer an explanation for the ‘flat’ performance.

Fearless (race 8): Was found to have bled in both nostrils for the first time in the Golden Rose and is now banned from racing for three months.

Clear Proof (race 8): Eased down in the home straight as jockey Craig Williams didn’t feel comfortable in his action. Was found to be 3/5 lame in the off-foreleg.

Celestial Legend (race 9): Failed to muster speed early before only closing off fairly but not as well as Kerrin McEvoy expected. No abnormalities were found but his post-race recovery will be followed up.

CRUNCH TIME

Perspiration (race 5): A clear last in the run, he showed an explosive dash home to score. He ran his last 600m in 33.01 seconds with final furlongs of 10.69 and 11.13.

Willaidow (race 6): Showed speed at both ends to win. A sub 14 second first furlong in the 1400m event helped him find the front while is 11.38 split home was the fastest of the race.

Broadsiding (race 8): Settled in the back half of the field before showing his class with strong last 600m of 33.71 seconds to win. It included a tidy 10.94 split between the 400m and 200m.

Tanglewood (race 10): The Kosciuszko bound galloper rattled off one of the best final 600m of the meeting, clocking 32.92 seconds for the run home. He was last on the turn before finishing fifth.

TRACK TALK

“Broadsiding was the champion from last season, he steps right onto the turf as a three-year-old and claims a Group 1,” Trainer James Cummings.

“He’s just a star, the horse. He’s a proper horse. Anamoe goes, this one comes in.” James McDonald on Broadsiding.

“He can improve again and I think he’s a horse with a bit of a future.” Johann Gerard-Dubord on Perspiration.

“First Light has got himself into The Metropolitan with his win today and he’s a stayer on the rise.” Trainer Chris Waller.

“She felt like the winner the whole way. She really handled that race well and dictated it.” Zac Lloyd on Makarena.

“It’s a long straight and I could run them on a dog track and it would be a long straight at the moment,” Trainer Bjorn Baker after Amor Victorious win.

YOU CAN BET ON IT

Race 7

Amelia’s Jewel took more than half the money and Semana over another quarter with Makarena third most popular with around 6% after tightening from $5 into $4.60.

Bets of $1050 @ $5, $1000 @ $5 (multiple times), $1000 @ $4.60 (multiple times) were landed on Makarena.

Race 8

Broadsiding held close to 55% of TAB outlays as best backed on the Rosehill card. Significant bets of $10000 and $5000 place bets @ $1.45, and win bets of $8000 @ $2.50, $3500 @ $3.10, $3000 @ $3.20 multiple times and several $2000 bets between $2.30-$3.30.

THE SCHEDULE

Monday: Tamworth, Wagga

Tuesday: Grafton, Newcastle

Wednesday: Rosehill Gardens

Thursday: Kembla Grange

Friday: Dubbo, Moruya

Saturday: Royal Randwick, Newcastle, Mudgee, Wagga Riverside, Armidale

Sunday: Ballina, Cootamundra

RON DUFFICY’S ROSEHILL GARDENS SNAPSHOT

RUN OF THE DAY 

Broadsiding is a superb colt who has a tremendous will to win.

He just pinned his ears back running through the pain barrier when his run was coming to the end and found a way which special horses do.

It’s exciting to think what he could do in his next few runs.

FORGET THEY RAN 

It was a horror watch for the supporters of the even money favourite in the last Pharari.

She bungled the start and was then disappointed for a run in the straight at a vital stage only to go down by a length at the finish.

THE BLACK BOOK 

Waltham may have been beaten by more than 5 lengths as a 30/1 chance but keep an eye on him.

He found plenty of trouble at a vital stage in his race and I’m sure he has enough talent to win a few staying races moving forward.

RIDE OF THE DAY 

There were a host of beautiful winning rides on the day but Blake Shinn is a master of his trade worldwide and was seen to advantage winning the first and last with two absolute gems.

Originally published as Trainer Joseph Pride hunting second Group 1 Epsom Hanidcap win with smart galloper Ceolwulf

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/horse-racing/trainer-joseph-pride-hunting-second-group-1-epsom-hanidcap-win-with-smart-galloper-ceolwulf/news-story/6d8fd61532d2a68ee7551337bdaad05f