Pride has Group hopes for Tavistock colt

[Wandering Eyes]

The Gr.3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) is the next stop for Tavistock colt Ceolwulf (NZ) after the three-year-old defied his inexperience to score a game win at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

Having just his second start, Ceolwulf ($4.80) ranged up to the leaders and looked set to sail past them before hanging under pressure then lifting again for Sam Clipperton to deny the fast-finishing Mojave Desert ($3.70 fav) by a half-length.

Trainer Joe Pride has a good opinion of the colt and is happy to take on stakes company at his next outing.

“He’s got a long way to go in terms of his development and what he’s got to learn, but he’s certainly kicked off his career well,” Pride said.

“It’s not very often you see horses by this stallion in Tavistock show up either at this age or over a short trip. He’s really exciting, I really like him.

“He was a Ready To Run horse from Karaka and he breezed up quite well. I was happy to take the punt on him and he has always shown a fair bit, which has encouraged us to keep pushing on at this early stage.”

Pride said the Ming Dynasty at Rosehill on Saturday week was the likely next step for Ceolwulf, provided he came through Wednesday’s performance in good order.

“I had in mind if he won today that we’d go to the Ming Dynasty,” he said.

“It’s leaving him at 1400m and it’s only a week-and-a-half away, but he’s got to pull up well to do that.”

Bred by Cambridge Stud, Ceolwulf had run well when third over 1200m on debut.

Out of the Shamardal mare Las Brisas, Ceolwulf is yet another talented graduate of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, with Pride going to $170,000 to secure him from Riversley Park’s draft last November.

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