Joe Pride has produced another training gem, with his decision to apply blinkers to star galloper Ceolwulf paying spectacular dividends as the gelding stormed to victory in Saturday’s $5 million King Charles III Stakes at Randwick.
After completing the rare Epsom Handicap–King Charles III Stakes double last spring, Ceolwulf had struggled to recapture his peak form this season. Pride admitted the horse had been “underachieving” by his lofty standards — but never lost faith in his class or ability to rebound.
That belief was rewarded when Ceolwulf, fitted with blinkers for the first time, returned to his brilliant best, powering clear to claim consecutive King Charles titles.
“I’ve said for a long time I thought he was the best horse I’ve ever trained, and it’s been a long twelve months waiting for him to win again like that,” Pride said. “A few firm tracks and other things have played a role — there were plenty of excuses — but today he showed what I’ve always known he’s capable of.”
Under a perfect ride from regular jockey Chad Schofield, Ceolwulf ($10) enjoyed a cushy run on the rails before producing a brilliant turn of foot to defeat Mr Brightside ($4.20 fav) by 1¾ lengths, with Pier ($51) another half-neck away in third.
“I’ve got so much belief in him,” Schofield said. “It was a masterstroke by Joe — keeping that gear change up his sleeve for the grand final. The blinkers really brought out the best in him. He was electric.”
Pride confirmed Ceolwulf will now travel to Melbourne to tackle one of the headline events on Champions Day at Flemington. “We’ll freshen him up and head south,” he said. “He’s back to his best now, and I think the rest of the spring is going to be exciting.”
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