The three-day delay caused by Sydney’s big wet hasn’t left Joe Pride second-guessing himself about targeting the Doncaster with Ceolwulf.
Ceolwulf remains the odds-on favourite for the group 2 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) at Tuesday’s rescheduled Rosehill meeting, with Pride content to skip the quick back-up into Saturday’s Doncaster in favour of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes a week later.
Why Joe Pride is resisting starting Ceolwulf in the DoncasterCredit: Getty Images
The four-year-old gelding collected a couple of group 1s over the Randwick mile last spring. Pride has previously enjoyed success when his horses are on the quick back-up.
“I want to run in the Donnie as much as anyone else, I’ve won a couple of them [with Sacred Choice and Vision And Power], it’s an amazing race, but sometimes you have to pick and choose your mark,” Pride said.
“What I said to the owners of Ceolwulf at the start of his preparation is I think the Queen Elizabeth is the race we should be aiming for. It’s over 2000m, and it’s weight for age, as opposed to a 20-horse field in the Doncaster. Could he win the Doncaster? Of course, he could. But you’re banking on a lot of good luck.
“The Queen Elizabeth, the best horse on the day wins. You can’t say that about a Doncaster.”
Ceolwulf trainer Joe Pride.Credit: Getty Images
Running Ceolwulf over 2000m and then backing up five days later over the Randwick mile is not the silliest idea, but Pride would rather wait for what looms a thrilling battle with arguably Australia’s best horse, Via Sistina.
“With the good horses, you can win with plan B, but you should stick to plan A and give them every chance to get to where you want them to go, and in the best shape they can be,” Pride said.
“Via Sistina is an excellent mare. But other than what she did on Cox Plate Day [when winning by eight lengths], I feel like Ceolwulf can beat her. I’m not saying he will beat her, but I think he can beat her. He’s yet to peak – we’re yet to see the best of Ceolwulf, but I’m not sure Via Sistina can go better than she did in last year’s Cox Plate.”
The Australian Turf Club made the early call to move Saturday’s meeting because of the rain. The barrier draw for this weekend’s Doncaster and Derby will be held at the end of the meeting.
Pride was able to give Ceolwulf an easy gallop on Sunday morning to keep him ticking over for the Neville Selwood. He did the same with his three horses in the Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m) – Coal Crusher, Mazu and Dragonstone. All three thrive in the slush. Pride said the market had it right with his three chances, with Mazu the favourite.
Coal Crusher faded quickly first-up, but Pride said his horse always did that first-up, and nearly always improved second-up. Mazu is drawn well and appreciates Rosehill.
Pride said the Brisbane winter carnival was a possibility for the trio, along with the Hall Mark Stakes on April 19, while a quick backup into Saturday’s group 1 TJ Smith Stakes “is unlikely, but we won’t rule it out until we see what we see from them on Tuesday”.
Everest-bound Private Harry to skip shot at autumn riches
Everest-bound Private Harry was withdrawn from the rest of the Sydney autumn carnival. The unbeaten three-year-old colt was battling Chris Waller-trained Joliestar for favouritism in the $3 million TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick this Saturday before the announcement. Trainer Nathan Doyle and part-owners Kurrinda Bloodstock, who announced a 50 per cent sale of Private Harry to Yulong Investments on Saturday, said it was tempting to run in the TJ Smith but “we feel he will benefit greatly from the opportunity to rest” before returning in the spring to target the $20 million Everest, where they will race in Yulong’s slot.
Craig Kerry
Appeal win opens doors for Lloyd
Zac Lloyd’s appeal win opened the door to key rides on the deferred Tancred Stakes day meeting on Tuesday. Lloyd was suspended from March 23 to April 3 for careless riding aboard Willaidow at Rosehill on March 15, meaning he would have missed Tancred Stakes day, even after it was moved from Saturday because of a heavy track. However, an appeals panel found Lloyd’s offence was on the low to medium range and changed the suspension period to March 26-30. Lloyd replaces James McDonald, who will be in Dubai, on Movin Out (Vinery Stud), King Of Thunder (Tulloch) and Willaidow (Doncaster Prelude). Blake Shinn replaces McDonald on Quietly Arrogant (Baillieu), Brudenell (Star Kingdom) and River Of Stars (Tancred). Damian Lane rides Scarlet Oak (Emancipation).
Craig Kerry
