Joe Pride expressed disappointment over Ceolwulf missing a run in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) at Randwick last Saturday.
The four-year-old is now likely to target the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) to boost his fitness ahead of the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
Already a two-time Group 1 winner, Ceolwulf was expected to face Via Sistina and Fangirl again after their first-up performances in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m), where Ceolwulf finished fourth.
However, a minor setback prevented him from racing.
“We couldn’t go around this time,” said Pride.
“We had him ready to go in a Group 1 and you want to run them but it was one of those 50-50 calls on Friday and I just wasn’t happy enough on race morning.”
Ceolwulf suffered an abrasion to the off-hind cannon during Friday’s trackwork.
“It wasn’t too bad but it wasn’t worth the risk,” Pride explained.
“We’re still on track to go to the Queen Elizabeth as our main aim, but it might be now that we run in the Doncaster as he needs a bit of racing to get there.
“Where he was probably a less than 50 per cent chance to go to the Doncaster, he’s now a better chance of going there.”
Ceolwulf will next race in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick this Saturday, followed by the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 22, where he is likely to meet Fangirl again.
The Doncaster Mile will be held on April 5 at Randwick.
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