A recharged Glyn Schofield looking to add more Group 1 success

Glyn Schofield is back and chasing more feature race victories at Randwick on Saturday.

Glyn Schofield has his eyes on the prize ahead of the big Group 1 day at Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Mark Evans–Getty Images

He made the perfect start to his comeback and Glyn Schofield aims to take it up another notch at Randwick this Saturday.

Schofield returned to the saddle last week after more than nine months on the sidelines after having surgery to repair nerve damage which was affecting his right arm.

“They did the surgery on my C5, 6 and 7 and the nerve damage or impingement in my neck took a little while to repair itself,” Schofield said.

The champion international rider returned to the saddle at Gosford on Wednesday and took just four rides to return to the winner’s circle, saluting aboard Crystal Waters for Paul Murray at Hawkesbury on Thursday.

Then 48 hours later he gave everyone a reminder of what he’s capable of when guiding the Chris Waller-trained Yonkers to victory in the Group 2 Shannon Stakes at Rosehill.

“I’ve come through things really well. Obviously with a smile on my face,” Schofield said.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better start other than winning a Group 1 race and until this weekend, I haven’t had a chance to win one of those.

“I’ve never felt so good. The body and the mind.

Glyn Schofield and Yonkers take out the Shannon Stakes at Rosehill last Saturday. Photo: Mark Evans–Getty Images.

“The last year and a half I was going to the races riding 40, 50 to one pops, losing a couple of kilos to ride the weight, being disinterested and now I’ve come back and looking forward to going to the races.

“My mental fitness is certainly in a much better place.

“I’m realistic, I’m coming back from average form which would be generous before my break but in the short time back I’m in good form and looking to build on that.

“This sport does forget you pretty quick but hopefully I’ve given people a little reminder I can still get it done. The great thing about racing is everybody loves a winner.”

Schofield has secured two Group 1 rides this weekend at Randwick.

In The Metropolitan (2400m) he will team up with prolific champion trainer Chris Waller and Group 1 winner Kukeracha.

A $26 chance with TAB Fixed Odds, Kukeracha raced below expectations last time out in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m), finishing down the track but after the contest jockey James McDonald offered an excuse for the performance suggesting it is “hard to win when you don’t have much luck and the rail is on fire”.

“He hasn’t been up to this sort of trip since he won the (Queensland) Derby,” Schofield said.

“He was good first-up then his run in the Chelmsford was a pass mark and his last run is probably best forgotten.

Kukeracha wins the Queensland Derby back in May. Photo: Grant Peters–Trackside Photography.

“The rail was dynamite a fortnight ago at Randwick and he was back and wide.

“This looks a target race for him so I think he should be given another chance.

“He’s definitely getting back to a trip on Saturday that he’s excelled at before. That has to be a plus.”

Schofield has also been engaged to partner the Anthony Cummings-trained Stray in the Flight Stakes (1600m) and while the daughter of Thunder Fantasy is still a maiden, “generous” was the way Schofield described her $41 quote at TAB Fixed Odds.

Stray has been racing the boys and comes out of the Listed Dulcify Quality and Group 3 Gloaming Stakes in her past two starts.

“She ran well in the Gloaming last Saturday from a wide gate and didn’t have too much room between runners down most of the straight,” Schofield said.

“For an inexperienced filly I think that might have been a bit intimidating for her.

“She’s performed pretty well everywhere she’s gone, and I think there is still some improvement to come.

“The barrier draw (2) makes such a big difference. From the wide gate we were negative straight away the other day but this week we land right there.

“Back in trip and back to fillies’ grade on the back-up this week. She profiles quite nicely.”

Originally published as A recharged Glyn Schofield looking to add more Group 1 success