It has taken 15 months, but Chad Schofield has started to make his mark in Sydney and will line up at Scone on Saturday for the best book of rides he has had since returning from Hong Kong.
It starts with the John O’Shea-trained Saltaire in the Woodlands Stakes to open the standalone Saturday card and includes three rides from Godolphin, including Waihaha Falls in the Luskin Star Stakes, and Healing Oasis in the Dark Jewel Stakes for his biggest supporter, Annabel Neasham.
Chad Schofield looks at Scone as an opportunity with his best book of rides since returning to AUstralia last year.Credit: Getty
Schofield has become a dad to Archer since setting up base in Sydney, but it has taken time to gain the trust of trainers and opportunities.
“My expectations were probably a little too high and it was tough there for a long time,” Schofield said. “When you are going to the races for one or two rides at 30-1 it makes you question what you are doing wrong.
“When I was not getting many rides, Annabel [Neasham] was putting me on and supported me, and I will be grateful for that for a long time.
“It has just taken a lot longer than I thought it would to get settled and get good rides.
“I can just feel things turning around, and when I was talking to my manager about a week ago he said, ‘gee Scone is looking like your best book since being back’.
“It is an opportunity to build on, so hopeful there are a few winners there.”
Schofield rode star filly Learning To Fly during the autumn and the past three months have netted 22 winners with a commensurate life in his strike rate.
His winning percentage grew to 22 per cent in April and he has had five winners, including Essonne in the Silk Stocking last week, from 20 rides this month.
Winners always attract attention, and it is about taking the next step up the jockeys ranks for Schofield.
Godolphin trainer James Cummings keeps a close eye on jockeys statistics and has a long association with Schofield, who has ridden four winners from 12 rides for him this season.
“He has always been a jockey who I have had a bit of success with, even before Godolphin,” Cummings said. “I know 12 rides doesn’t sound a lot, but we are looking at results and he performs above market expectations.
“He’s riding very well at the moment. I’m sure we are going to use him more because he suits my horses.
“There are some really good rides there at Scone for him, but I think Portray in the Denise’s Joy looks to get the right run and might be his best chance for us.”
It would be fitting if Healing Oasis can jump from benchmark company to winning at group 3 level in the Dark Jewel Classic for Schofield and Neasham.
Schofield spends at least one morning a week riding trackwork for Neasham, who is starting to get the winners that her expanding stable deserves with boxes at Rosehill as well as Warwick Farm.
Healing Oasis is another import for Neasham, which won a benchmark 78 on Australian debut at Rosehill a couple of weeks ago.
“I have been on [Healing Oasis] and she is going to make a really nice horse,” Schofield said. “She has stakes form in France and she, like a lot of Annabel’s horses, takes big steps from trial to a race and then improves again into their next start.
“I rode her in the trial and there was certainly something there. She has a wide draw on the weekend, but she is working well and I think she will step up again. I think she is up to this level.”
Schofield is excited to get on the sometimes frustrating Waihaha Falls, which is the $4 favourite for the Luskin Star Stakes.
“I haven’t ridden him, but he is a horse that with a touch of luck could have won a few more, and I think the big Scone track is going to suit him,” Schofield said. “It is a good opportunity for him to get back winning and a great chance for me as well.
“Riding good chances for good trainers can lead to better things if results go your way. ”
