Wet no worry for Ceolwulf return

[Wandering Eyes]

Trainer Joe Pride is content with the preparation Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) has had leading into his return outing at Randwick.

While the prospects of a wet track are not ideal, Pride said ‘it is what is’ and would not be swayed from running the gelding first-up in the Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) on Saturday.

The forecast for rain during the week is unlikely to see any improvement on a track that was rated a Heavy 10 on Tuesday afternoon.

Randwick lost a meeting on August 9 when heavy rain on race eve forced its cancellation.

Pride said in Ceolwulf’s favour was the gelding holding a win and a second on heavy ground.

“It won’t be a problem for him,” Pride said.

“He ran a place in the (Australian) Derby, and he won a race on the wet last prep.

“It’s not ideal to be first-up on heavy, but you can’t wait forever, especially with the weather in Sydney as you would never get a run into a horse if you were waiting for a dry track.

“He’s had his two trials, which is good. He’s had a nice, even preparation into it and seems to be coming up well.”

Ceolwulf won the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap and Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes, both over 1600m at Randwick, last spring and while not locking in a program, is likely to remain in Sydney for the majority of the spring.

Pride said another shot at the King Charles III Stakes was likely to be on the cards before a potential transfer to Melbourne.

“I haven’t finalised his program yet, but we’ll more than likely keep him in Sydney,” Pride said.

“I would love to have him in Melbourne for at least a run or two, but that may not be until Flemington.”

Ceolwulf has yet to race in Melbourne and Pride is unsure how the gelding would adapt to racing left-handed as all the gelding’s work is done on his Sydney leg.

“I’ve never been a fan of working reverse as our tracks aren’t set up for that and I feel like it’s a bit of a compromise to the preparation,” Pride said.

“Once a horse gets to his age and he can’t run fast left and right, he might be in a bit of trouble.

“One thing he is, he’s an athlete.”

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