Conditions dictated by Sydney’s forecast will shape whether Ceolwulf stands a chance of upstaging champion mare Autumn Glow in the Verry Elleegant Stakes at Randwick, per trainer Joseph Pride.
Solidly backed at $1.30 to claim a 10th successive win Saturday, Autumn Glow’s favouritism is endorsed by Pride.
Pride qualifies his view by noting potential from heavy predicted rain, granting Ceolwulf upset potential on a substantially rain-affected surface.
“I’m not even thinking about winning chances because honestly, if that mare shows up with what she did the other day, you’re probably not going to beat her at this stage of the preparation for us, with no blinkers and so early on,” Pride said.
“His best chance of running really well would be if the track is wet, so I’ve got my eye on that.
“That’s probably what punters want to hear from me, ‘is there a chance your horse could win? Well yes, but it would have to be wet, I would think’.”
Running at Randwick provides Pride with solace for Ceolwulf.
An absence marked last year’s Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) due to misfortune, while a fortnight ago post-Apollo Stakes (1400m) nostril blood raised ban fears of three months.
Post-race scoping disproved internal issues, pinpointing a nose vessel break for Ceolwulf.
Approval came from stewards for continuation, Pride affirming seamless training.
“As soon as I scoped him, I felt like he was entitled to be here, but going back to two weeks ago when I saw him post-race, it is a massive relief,” Pride said.
“He didn’t miss a walk. He missed nothing.”
Holder of three Group 1 Randwick mile successes, Ceolwulf thrives later in preps, so Pride eyes strong contention Saturday.
“Hopefully the first four or five and I’ll be happy. That will be box ticked going forward and I’ll know that he is on track. But I’m very happy with him.”
Rain would suit Liverpool City Cup (1300m) entrants Coal Crusher and Cool Jakey from Pride’s barn, both rain lovers, with Gatsby’s primed for the finale.
“I’m very happy with that horse,” he said of Gatsby’s.
“He’s had a real change in his attitude and he’s going well. He has put in three good, honest runs for me, and he’ll go really well on Saturday.”
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