By Craig Kerry
Chad Schofield is counting on a good barrier and the early speed of Kujenga to give him a third Inglis Millennium win in four years, and second with trainer Annabel Neasham, on Saturday at Randwick.
Schofield was second in the $2 million restricted listed race last year behind Fully Lit with Rue De Royale, after winning in 2023 with the Neasham-trained Learning To Fly and in 2022 with Xtravagant Star for Tony and Calvin McEvoy.
Chad Schofield rides Learning To Fly (nearest to camera) down the outside to victory in the 2023 Inglis Millennium at Randwick.Credit: Getty Images
This time he has picked up the ride on Kujenga from Englishman Harry Davies, who took the filly to victory on debut at Wyong’s The Lakes program over 1200m. Kujenga jumped well from gate six and led before holding on narrowly from Kris Lees-trained Damien.
She has drawn even better in gate two for the shorter trip in the Millennium but is still a $16 Sportsbet hope in an open affair.
Schofield welcomed the chance to link again with Neasham.
“Kujenga is a horse that’s done nothing wrong,” Schofield said.
“I thought she was impressive winning on debut. She’s drawn a perfect barrier, which is going to make it nice and easy for her, and a lot of the chances have drawn wide.
“I galloped her last Tuesday and she’s a lovely, straightforward filly who’s going to get a great run from the barrier.
Annabel Neasham and Chad Schofield return to scale with Learning To Fly in 2023.Credit: Getty Images
“She showed great gate speed and railed very well, and kicked on the turn, so no doubt she’ll be up there and have a nice economical race.
“She’s a very quick filly, so if we wanted to lead, we probably could. But with two-year-olds, the main thing is to jump positively, then get them in the comfort zone.”
Neasham, who now trains in partnership with Rob Archibald, believed Kujenga was a better chance than her odds suggest.
“She’s got brilliant gate speed, which is often important, and she’s improved no end,” Neasham said.
“Her work was really good through the week. Her last couple bits of work have been great, so I would have thought she’s one of the main chances, even if she’s not in the market.
“She’s going super, and she’s straightforward, and makes her own luck up on speed. She doesn’t have to lead, but she’s got good gate speed and drawn to do no work, so she should be in a good spot.”
In the other features, Schofield partners Public Attention (Eskimo Prince Stakes, 1200m) and Banknote Hustler (Lonhro Plate, 1000m) for the Mick Price and Michael Kent jnr stable.
Public Attention ($8.50) is first up from gate six.
“He’s probably a horse who is going to be best suited over 1400, a mile, but he’s been working and trialling exceptionally well,” Schofield said.
“He’s a horse with extreme quality, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he runs over the top of them late.”
Banknote Hustler ($23) is on debut after two placings in trials.
“His work and trials have been very good,” he said. “The market doesn’t really fancy him, but I think he’s a great chance. He’s a quality colt, and he’s been very well educated by the stable, and he’ll get a good run from the draw in two.”
Neasham and Schofield also combine with Depth Of Character ($9.50) in the fourth.
“Depth Of Character’s got a nice, soft draw and he should run well,” Neasham said. “First run as a gelding at the Magic Millions, he ran fifth there in the three-year-old race.”
