Jockey Chad Schofield expects Ceolwulf will be up to the challenge in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes

The Joe Pride-trained Ceolwulf can enhance his rising star status with a win in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Randwick.

Ceolwulf gives jockey Chad Schofield every reason to believe he can go to a new level in Saturday’s Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.

Schofield piloted the Joseph Pride-trained Ceolwulf for the first time a fortnight ago when the gelding was a brilliant winner of the Group 1 Epsom Handicap.

They will reconnect over the same track and trip this week when Ceolwulf faces against some of the best horses in the country, including newly minted Australian Horse of the Year Pride Of Jenni and defending King Charles III Stakes winner Fangirl.

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Schofield knows Ceolwulf will need go to new heights to win but believes the son of Tavistock is more than capable.

“He has got pure raw ability still and it’s very exciting,” Schofield said.

“He is obviously a horse that is very highly thought of by his trainer and Joe is of the view that the horse is youthful and getting better with each run.

“I think his form backs that up. His win in the Epsom was breathtaking so if he can replicate that form or improve on that, it is very exciting.

“I do (think he is only scratching the surface). He is still a very young horse and that was my first opinion of him when I sat on him for the first time on Epsom day.”

Ceolwulf was a brilliant winner of the Epsom Handicap. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

Ceolwulf clashed with Pride Of Jenni in the autumn when the Ciaron Maher-trained mare was a brilliant runner away winner of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Pride’s emerging star failed to fire was on the seven-day back up on that day after running second in the Australian Derby a week earlier.

It's Ceolwulf right down the outside in the TAB Epsom and he sails away to take the famous G1 mile for @SchofieldChad and @PrideRacing! 🏆@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/irirNeZGse

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 5, 2024

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Pride Of Jenni is expected to give rivals something to catch again on Saturday in a race that is as intriguing as any event on the The Everest program.

“I think it’s a very exciting, much anticipated race,” Schofield said.

“You’ve got the strongest of form lines from a lot of avenues and they are all clashing in a $5 million race.

“It should be a great spectacle and I am very excited about the horse I am on too.”

Pride Of Jenni is an even money favourite for the King Charles III Stakes with Fangirl ($4) and Ceolwulf ($8) both commanding plenty of respect.

Originally published as Jockey Chad Schofield expects Ceolwulf will be up to the challenge in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes