An explosive second-up win by Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) runner-up Ceolwulf at Rosehill has put trainer Joe Pride in two-minds about the best path to pursue this spring.
Pride had identified the Gr.1 Metropolitan (2400m) as a target but said the turn of foot Ceolwulf demonstrated in Saturday's Bankstown Sports Handicap (1500m) had all but forced him to entertain the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m).
"To see him do something like that so early in the spring, it is hard not to get excited,'' Pride said.
"I was a little bit surprised by that. I would have been happy to see him grinding home as he is getting ready for 2000m.
"But that may open a few more options as it shows he might be a bit sharper."
Ceolwulf ($3.10) settled worse than midfield before James McDonald allowed him to creep into the race coming to the 800m.
Once the four-year-old balanced for home, he lengthened stride beautifully and shot clear for an effortless two-length win over Riyazan ($13) with Amor Victorious ($2.30 fav) holding down third.
Pride said he would likely proceed as planned to the Gr.3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on September 21 before deciding whether to bring Ceolwulf back in journey for the Epsom or extend him in distance.
"It is going to be a great journey because he is a beautiful horse to work with and in my mind, everything he does tells me he is going to keep getting better," Pride said.
"The plan was to go to the Kingston Town Stakes next and I will probably still go there, but that impressed me and maybe we can get somewhere this spring.
“With an immature horse like him, maybe this race and the next one will see him out.
"I never get ahead of myself in this game but he's a pretty special horse. I have been in love with him for a long time.”
McDonald was keen to be within striking distance on straightening on the son of Tavistock. He was really taken by the horse’s run.
“I wanted him to see the front and had a game plan of settling where I was but pretending the winning post was at the furlong,” McDonald said.
“I wanted to see what he could do and he was brilliant and really put them away. I loved the way he attacked the line, so it was a good effort.
“His run in the Derby was phenomenal so the writing is on the wall.”
Bred by Cambridge Stud, Ceolwulf has now won two of his 11 starts but has finished second in the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m), Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) and Gr.3 Ming Dynasty Stakes (1400m).
Out of the Shamardal mare Las Brisas, Ceolwulf is a graduate of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, with Pride going to $170,000 to secure him from Riversley Park’s 2022 draft. – NZ Racing Desk
