A week on from their memorable win in the Champions Mile with Ceolwulf, the combination of jockey Chad Schofield and trainer Joe Pride will attempt to continue their winning momentum in a feature race on home soil.
This time the pair joins forces with Coal Crusher in the 1300-metre The Hunter, where the tough gelding will bid to become the first dual winner of the $1 million race since it began in 2019. He previously captured the event two years ago under Tyler Schiller.
Now eight, Coal Crusher remains in tremendous form, and for Schofield, there is unfinished business with the horse.
His father, former star jockey Glyn Schofield, partnered Coal Crusher to several victories in his early career, while Chad is yet to chalk up a win on him despite eight prior attempts.
“Dad was riding him when he was a young horse coming through the grades,” Chad Schofield said.
“I think he had at least five or six wins for him.
“I haven’t won on him yet, but we ran second in the Sydney Stakes and fourth the other day, so I know the horse well.
“He has obviously been set for The Hunter and he races very well at that track so hopefully he can run a peak race on the weekend.”
Coal Crusher has maintained consistency across all three starts this campaign, most notably his fourth behind Jimmysstar in the Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) on November 1, where he endured a wide run from a difficult draw.
This weekend he begins from barrier four, and while The Hunter has lured a strong field, only one Group 1 winner appears — the 2022 Caulfield Guineas champion Golden Mile. Schofield believes that class drop is crucial.
“He was incredibly brave up the straight against the A-graders and he drops back in class,” he said.
“He is just a good, honest, old horse and he tries his best every start.”
A win in The Hunter would also serve as timely compensation for Schofield, who begins a one-month suspension from his Champions Mile ride on Ceolwulf after Saturday. He will return to race riding on December 17.
For betting markets on Coal Crusher and The Hunter field, compare prices on the JHR bookmakers page.