Emerging gelding Ceolwulf even surprised his trainer Joe Pride with the dominance of his victory at Rosehill

Joe Pride has always been a huge fan of Ceolwulf but the gelding surprised his trainer with the dominance of his victory at Rosehill.

Ceolwulf (second from left) delivered on his potential with an impressive win at Rosehill. Picture: Getty Images

Trainer Joe Pride was moved to declare Ceolwulf “something pretty special” after an impressive win at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Ceolwulf, ridden by champion jockey James McDonald, took off before the home turn on a long, sustained run that swept him clear of his rivals in the Bankstown Sports Club Handicap (1500m).

Pride has a big opinion of Ceolwulf’s potential but even he was surprised by the dominance of the gelding’s win.

“To see him do something like that so early in the spring, it is hard not to get excited,” Pride said.

“I was surprised by that as I would have been happy to see him grinding home as he is getting ready for 2000m.

“It was just nice to see him realise his potential. He was a class 1 horse coming into today so he’s on his way to somewhere pretty special.”

Ceolwulf ($3.10) broke clear of his rivals in the final 200m to score by two lengths from the underrated Riyazan ($13) with early leader Amor Victorious ($2.30 favourite) a length away third.

McDonald revealed it was his intention to take off “early” on Ceolwulf.

“We had a game plan of settling where I was but I really wanted to make the winning post at the furlong to see what he can do,” McDonald said.

“He was brilliant, he really put them away and I loved the way he attacked the line.”

Pride has been impressed by Ceolwulf’s emerging talent since he ran successive Group 1 seconds behind Riff Rocket in the Rosehill Guineas and ATC Australian Derby last autumn.

“I never get ahead of myself in this game but he’s a pretty special horse, I have been in love with him for such a long time,” Pride said.

“The plan was to go to the Kingston Town Stakes next and I will probably still go there but that win impressed me as it may open a few more options because he might be a bit sharper.

“It is going to be a great journey because he is a beautiful horse to work with and in my mind, everything he does tells me he is going to keep getting better.

“He is still an immature horse, he is a baby, but he comes out today and goes like that – wow.”

Ceolwulf lets down powerfully under a smart @mcacajamez ride to win second-up for @PrideRacing 👊 pic.twitter.com/Iv1oOrVFjP

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 31, 2024

Originally published as Emerging gelding Ceolwulf even surprised his trainer Joe Pride with the dominance of his victory at Rosehill