Ceolwulf vs. Via Sistina: Trainer Joe Pride reveals 2025 Queen Elizabeth Stakes plan for 2024 King Charles III Stakes winner

Rising superstar Ceolwulf will be restricted to a weight-for-age program aimed at a showdown with Via Sistina in the $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick during The Championships next autumn.

Cox Plate champ Via Sistina (left) and King Charles III Stakes winner Ceolwulf are on a collision course for the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Pictures: Getty Images

Rising superstar Ceolwulf will be restricted to a weight-for-age program aimed at a showdown with Via Sistina in the $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick during The Championships next autumn.

Trainer Joe Pride has all but locked in Ceolwulf’s autumn preparation that is due to begin with the Group 2 $300,000 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on February 15.

Pride has a four-race campaign in mind for Ceolwulf that culminates with the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Ceolwulf gave a demonstration of his audacious talent last spring with successive Group 1 wins in the Epsom Handicap and King Charles III Stakes over the Randwick 1600m course.

But Pride said the Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000m at Royal Randwick on April 12 was preferred to the $4 million Doncaster Mile (1600m) a week earlier.

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“Ceolwulf has had a good break and he is coming up well,’’ Pride said.

“I’m not sure when he will barrier trial yet but his first race will be the Apollo Stakes next month.

“He will then follow the traditional weight-for-age path to the (Group 1 $1 million) Verry Ellegant Stakes (Randwick, 1600m, March 1) and then he will race on Golden Slipper Day (Rosehill, March 22).

“The decision we will need to make that day is whether he goes to the George Ryder Stakes (Group 1, $1 million, 1500m) or the Ranvet Stakes (Group 1, $1 million, 2000m).

“We will know after he has a couple of runs whether the George Ryder or Ranvet is the best lead-up for him into the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.’’

Epsom winner Ceolwulf with a huge run wins the G1 King Charles III Stakes in front of a record crowd at Randwick!@PrideRacing | @SchofieldChad@aus_turf_club | @WorldPoolpic.twitter.com/28oRVnurKS

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 19, 2024

• EXPERT TIPS: Professional James Molony’s race-by-race tips and analysis for Randwick on Saturday

Via Sistina, winner of four Group 1 races during the spring including her course record breaking, eight lengths Cox Plate romp, is likely to follow a similar race program which potentially sets up a series of enthralling weight-for-age clashes during the Sydney autumn carnival.

"A CENTURY OF THE VERY BEST!"

After a dramatic week, VIA SISTINA wins the 2024 Cox Plate & gives @mcacajamez 100 Group 1 victories 💚 @cwallerracingpic.twitter.com/MyKM4Th8z7

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 26, 2024

• Tips from the big bookies: Saturday, January 4

Meanwhile, Pride said Private Eye, winner of nearly $12 million prizemoney, would not resume until the Group 1 $3 million TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) on April 5.

Private Eye had a long campaign late last year before being spelled after his fourth in Robusto’s The Ingham so Pride is mindful of giving the gelding a decent summer break.

“He will go first-up in a race like the TJ Smith Stakes then we will look at setting him for the Brisbane carnival later in the year,’’ Pride said.