Racing
Ceolwulf’s champion qualities shine through
Sydneysider claims epic Champions Mile at first trip to Melbourne
Ceolwulf further pressed claims for recognition as Australia's best miler after claiming an epic Champions Mile at Flemington on Saturday.
At his first start in Victoria the Joe Pride-trained gelding lifted from the canvas under hard riding from Chad Schofield to defeat Pericles in a stirring edition of the $3 million Group 1 weight-for-age contest.
It followed victory in the $5 million King Charles III Stakes, Ceolwulf's second-straight win in that event, at Randwick on October 18 and Pride was thrilled to see his stable star show his talent on racing biggest stage.
"He's an amazing horse, I'm just so proud of him," he said.
"I've thought for a long time he's the best horse I've trained and with his last two wins, he's certainly cemented his spot there.
"It's great work from the team at home and it's a big effort to get these horses here on the big days.
"He's never travelled away before, but he's handled it really well and we'll be back."
Pride is already planning a return to Flemington next spring with the winner of almost $11 million in stakes, with the $6m Cox Plate (2040m) to be held at Saturday's venue with Moonee Valley out of action due to track renovation.
Schofield settled Ceolwulf, a son of Tavistock fourth one of the fence in the race that was run at a solid tempo thanks to Pride Of Jenni and presented as the winner at the top of the straight, only to see Pericles dash past him at the 250m.
That Godolphin gelding, who started $19, put a half-length on Ceolwulf, but the $5 chance rallied strongly to score a short-head-half head win.
Completing a New South Wales trifecta was Pericles' Bjorn Baker-trained stablemate Stefi Magnetica ($11), who finished a further 4-1/2 lengths back.
"If you had have asked me how I was feeling at the 400, I'd have said it was race over," Schofield said.
"He ambled up and came into it but in the Flemington straight, he put his head up and baulked. That allowed Pericles to get a margin on me and when he saw him he went again.
"He's very good. I've been lucky and I've ridden some very good ones, but he's getting better. He's top class."
Mr Brightside ($2.90 fav) turned in the worst performance of his career over his favoured Flemington 1600m to finish fifth, beaten more than 10 lengths, while Pride Of Jenni ($4.80, eighth) was under hard riding from the 700m and was basically eased down over the final 200m.
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