A protégé of master Hong Kong trainer John Size, Joseph Pride will attempt to convert an untimely injury setback into victory in the G1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on Saturday (8 March) when stable star Ceolwulf chases a third win at the highest level.

Pride had intended to start Ceolwulf in the G1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) at Randwick last Saturday (1 March) but those plans – and a clash with champion mare Via Sistina – were thwarted when Ceowulf suffered a minor leg injury on race morning.

The setback meant Pride had to hurriedly revise plans for the 2024 G1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and 2024 G1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) winner and target the Canterbury Stakes this weekend, when he faces 11 rivals and jumps from barrier one under Adam Hyeronimus.

Hyeronimus takes over on Ceolwulf from former Hong Kong-based jockey Chad Schofield, who is the gelding’s regular rider but had already committed to ride Sunshine In Paris in the Canterbury Stakes.

Pride hopes a conservative approach will pay off with Ceolwulf, who is regarded as one of the most exciting milers in Australia after his devastating Group 1 triumphs last Spring.
“We could have nearly run Ceolwulf last Saturday, it was a 50-50 call and I decided not to take any risks with the horse,” Pride said.

 “But after watching the race, I was a bit disappointed with myself because I think Ceolwulf would have been right in the finish.

“Anyway, we go to Canterbury Stakes on Saturday and although 1300m is obviously short of his best distance, I would expect him to be hitting the line strongly.”

Pride has mapped out an ambitious programme for his stable flagbearer, who will use Saturday’s race as a springboard into the G1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on 22 March.

Armed with plenty of options, Pride is considering tilts at the G3 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) or the G1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on 5 April to prepare Ceolwulf for his main autumn target, the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

“He's the type of horse that gets better with racing and I need to work out whether the Doncaster the week before the Queen Elizabeth is the way to go or if we need to get a 2000m run into him,” Pride said.

In a field packed with quality gallopers, Ceolwulf will face stiff opposition from Here To Shock, Sunshine In Paris, Stefi Magnetica and outstanding three-year-old colt Switzerland, who finished fourth as a heavily-backed favourite to Skybird in the G1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on 15 February.

Trainer Chris Waller was not disappointed with Switzerland’s first-up effort.

“Soft track, strong head wind, he was first-up and I don’t think he’s a real 1000m horse,” Waller said.

“It’s a great start to the preparation.”

Chasing his sixth win from nine starts, Switzerland will start from barrier nine under James McDonald, while Hong Kong-owned Celestial Legend resumes under Jason Collett.