Joe Pride says best is yet to come from Group 1 winner Ceolwulf

Trainer Joe Pride believes Ceolwulf can go to a new level this autumn as the two-time Group 1 winner prepares for his return in the Apollo Stakes on Saturday.

Australian racing’s newest superstar Ceolwulf gives trainer Joe Pride every impression his best is still ahead as prepares for his highly-anticipated return at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Pride is no stranger to a good horse with triumphs in some of Australia’s biggest races including the Doncaster Mile, TJ Smith Stakes, Stradbroke Handicap as well as an Everest victory with Think About It.

But there is no doubt Ceolwulf is now his brightest young star with the racing world at his feet.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

The son of Tavistock was already a two-time Group 1 winner in the spring and will attempt to go to a new level this autumn, starting with Saturday’s Group 2 $300,000 Apollo Stakes (1400m).

“He is extremely exciting,” Pride said.

“I have to take a step back and think that Think About It came back for an autumn campaign, as this horse is now, winning nine straight including a Stradbroke and an Everest so I wouldn’t tell you he’s more exciting than that but he’s on a different trajectory.

“We had probably seen the best of Think About It because he was already five while this bloke, being a four-year-old and still only lightly-raced you tend to think the best is yet to come hopefully in the next couple of seasons.”

🏇 Memorable Racing Moments 2⃣0⃣2⃣4⃣...

You got the sense that @PrideRacing's Ceolwulf was on the verge of something big during the spring. After taking the TAB Epsom he was still underrated in betting markets for the King Charles III... then he and @SchofieldChad did this 👇 pic.twitter.com/Uujzb1NC1F

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 25, 2024

• ‘Mystified’ Anthony Cummings given a week to leave Leilani Lodge

The star potential was there for all to see during Ceolwulf’s maiden preparation when he finished runner-up in a Ming Dynasty Quality at his third start.

He followed it up in the autumn with a pair of Group 1 seconds behind former star Riff Rocket in the Rosehill Guineas and ATC Australian Derby.

A gelding operation between his three and four-year-old seasons helped Ceolwulf go to a new level during the spring with victories in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap and Group 1 King Charles III Stakes.

Pride is hoping to raise the bar again this autumn in a preparation that will culminate with a second crack at the Group 1 $5m Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 12.

Ceolwulf surges to victory in the King Charles III Stakes last spring. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

• ‘She looks such a brute’: Warning to Via Sistina’s Apollo rivals

The Warwick Farm conditioner is coming into his first-up assignment knowing so far everything has gone to plan.

“He has got a stack of weight on him, he’s had a really good prep,” Pride said.

“There is always the unforeseen out there but it has gone well and all the trials have been good.

“He looks great so bring on Saturday, although I think we are a fair way off his peak and his record tells you he improves with racing so whatever he is doing on Saturday.

“If he is within a length or two of them in the finish, I don’t know how much improvement they will make but I know next run he will be a couple of lengths better and then a couple of lengths better again.”

Saturday’s Apollo Stakes looks set to be the first of several clashes with superstar mare Via Sistina with Pride and rival trainer Chris Waller likely to follow similar paths throughout the carnival.

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

• Ray Thomas’s race-by-race tips, analysis for Royal Randwick on Saturday

Ceolwulf will head to the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) second-up before lining up in either the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) or Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) en route to the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

“You want to see the heavyweights clash,” Pride said.

“The obvious thing about this race on Saturday, I am hoping it’s going to be one of those races where people think there is no speed on paper and get a bright idea.

“It doesn’t look a fast race at all but it’s going to be tactical.

“The result is very important for punters but for the stable’s involved the result isn’t as important as a good run.

“We will see how it unfolds.”

Via Sistina is the even money favourite for the Apollo Stakes from Ceolwulf ($3.90) and Fangirl ($4.20) with no other horses in single digits in betting.

Ceolwulf and Via Sistina have already clashed in recent weeks with the former winning his most recent trial over 1000m at Warwick Farm in a heat that also included Waller stars Atishu and Fangirl.

Joseph Pride says Ceolwulf won’t be anywhere near his peak in the Apollo Stakes on Saturday. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

• 18 EXPERTS: Tips for Apollo Stakes at Randwick, Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington

Jockey Chad Schofield, who rode Ceolwulf in both of his Group 1 successes, was aboard for the hitout and gave a ringing endorsement.

“Chad was very happy with the horse’s movement and the feel he gave him,” Pride said.

“Chad wasn’t in a great position to compare (to previous preparations) given that he only actually sat on the horse twice last prep in the Epsom and the King Charles when he was fully wound up.

“I guess when he rode him his first trial this time around, he would be thinking this feels a bit different and this horse is a bit bigger and stronger but wouldn’t necessarily have a point of comparison.

“I think sitting on him again there in the second trial, he is getting feel for him for the horse and if he’s not as excited as me, he’s not far off it.”

• Randwick Turf Talk for Saturday: X-factor filly to cause an upset

Pride is chasing is second win in the Apollo Stakes after winning the race with Rain Affair back in 2012.

He will also hunt Group 1 glory in Melbourne with talented sprinter Mazu set to return in the Group 1 $1m Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington.

Mazu raced consistently without during the Spring Carnival and is a $19 chance to add another Group 1 to his name.

“He is a ripper of a horse,” Pride said.

“He was extremely consistent last preparation and didn’t run a bad race.

“I think he will run very well fresh so we will give it a go.

“I thought it was a better shot at that then going first-up into the Expressway Stakes at 1200m.”

Pride won the Lightning Stakes with his former star sprinter Terravista in 2017.