Ceolwulf chimes in late at trials

[Wandering Eyes]

The spring carnival build-up continued at Warwick Farm on Friday morning, where Group One winner Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) made his final public appearance before he resumes in the Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m).

Trainer Joe Pride gave him an intentionally quiet hit-out when he trailed the field home in a 900m heat at his home track last month, but speaking before Friday’s trial session the trainer said he was content for Ceolwulf to be asked for a little more by regular rider Chad Schofield.

“I don’t know if it had any bearing on his prep but I let him do a bit too much in his trials last time around so I deliberately got him out of the contest the other day,” Pride said.

“But I’m happy for him to do a little bit more on Friday.

“He’s been great and the Winx Stakes will be his first-up run for sure. It’s locked in.”

Ceolwulf downed Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) and Fangirl (Sebring) in his second barrier trial leading into the autumn then had a mixed carnival in which he raced competitively but didn’t quiet reach the heights he’d climbed the previous spring.

With that seasoning and experience under his belt, Pride is hopeful Ceolwulf can return to the form that resulted in him claiming the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m)-Gr.1 King Charles III (1600m) double last year.

Ceolwulf closed off stylishly under light riding to finish a half-length second in Friday’s 1000-metre trial, which was led and won by stablemate Private Eye (Al Maher), who trialled in preference to running in Saturday’s Gr.2 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick, for which he was favourite.

The A$1 million Winx Stakes is the first Group One of the Sydney season and will be run at Randwick on August 23.

It is expected to attract a mouth-watering field with Chris Waller confirming Via Sistina, Fangirl, Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) and Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchico) are all scheduled to resume there, while Ciaron Maher is expected to be represented by the likes of Another Wil (Street Boss), Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto) and Light Infantry Man (Fast Company).

Maher’s New Zealand Derby-winning recruit Willydoit (NZ) (Tarzino) was among the others to trial on Friday with the gelding settling last but working through the line strongly to be beaten four lengths by Felix Majestic (Smart Missile).

Group One winner and Caulfield Cup (Gr.1,2400m) runner-up Buckaroo (Fastnet Rock) made his first trial appearance of the campaign in the same 900m hit-out, finishing immediately behind Willydoit.

Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) favourite Sir Delius (Frankel) had his second trial of the preparation, settling back in a five-horse trial over 1200m before working home under urging from Tim Clark to finish third, beaten a neck by the Bjorn Baker-trained Nkosi (Shamus Award).

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