Jockey Chad Schofield expects Ceolwulf to give Group 1 Epsom Handicap a shake

Chad Schofield will ride his Epsom Handicap mount for the first time on Saturday but is confident they can take out the $1.5m feature.

Jockey Chad Schofield got all important intel on leading Group 1 Epsom Handicap contender Ceolwulf sitting in a front-row seat.

The multiple Group 1-winning rider is set to pilot Joe Pride’s brilliant gelding for the first time under race conditions in Saturday’s $1.5m main event at Royal Randwick.

• Epsom Handicap tips, runner-by-runner form analysis

But Schofield has already seen up close what the smart son of Tavistock can produce.

He was an eager observer when Ceolwulf ran a narrow second to Eliyass in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) last start and expects the four-year-old to make his presence felt again.

“He has a great turn of foot, I saw it first hand the other day when I rode Golden Path and he sat behind him,” Schofield said.

“He accelerated pretty quickly past me. With 54kg on his back in the Epsom, I expect him to be right in the finish.”

Yasss!

A great finish to the G3 Kingston Town Stakes, with Eliyass adding another win to his impressive record! Bring on the Metrop!@clarkyhk | @GaiWaterhouse1pic.twitter.com/NGW067HC04

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 21, 2024

Pride made the final decision to target the Epsom Handicap last week after originally nominating Ceolwulf for the famous mile as well as the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) on the same card.

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Ceolwulf was a dominant winner over 1500m at Rosehill Gardens two starts ago before his close second in the Kingston Town Stakes.

“I love the prep he’s had,” Schofield said.

“Joe Pride is such a good trainer targeting a race with a good horse like him.

“I feel this horse is still untapped and he’s getting better all the time.”

Ceolwulf sits on the second line of betting at $7 for the Epsom alongside the Chris Waller-trained Kovalica while Royal Patronage holds favouritism at $5.50.

Ceolwulf winning Rosehill two starts ago. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Both Royal Patronage (barrier 17) and Ceolwulf (14) have drawn out in the capacity field of 20 runners with Kovalica set to jump from the inside alley.

“I am very happy with the draw,” Schofield said.

“With the way the horse likes to run, he obviously likes to find his feet and from that draw it gives us options.

“The favourites have drawn wide so potentially they will have to do a bit of work where we might be able to get a run with cover in a nice flowing position.”

Schofield is looking to end a decade wait for a fifth Australian Group 1 after last winning the Group 1 Queensland Derby on Sonntag in 2014.

Originally published as Jockey Chad Schofield expects Ceolwulf to give Group 1 Epsom Handicap a shake