The decision to back-up Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) in the Neville Sellwood Stakes is part of a bigger campaign picture as Joe Pride looks to give his star galloper the best possible grounding for his ultimate goal.
Having identified the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) as the race they want to win, Pride says Saturday’s Rosehill assignment is the logical next step.
“This just looked like the obvious race,” Pride said.
“The Doncaster (Mile) was also on the cards but the only trouble with the Doncaster is it would mean him backing up into the Queen Elizabeth.
“The decision that I’ve had to make is, what race do we think we’re the best chance of winning? And I’ve come up with the Queen Elziabeth. To do that, giving him two weeks into it is the smart play.”
Pride was forced into a campaign pivot when Ceolwulf suffered a leg abrasion that ruled him out of a scheduled clash with Via Sistina in the Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m).
It necessitated bringing him back in distance to 1300m for the Canterbury Stakes where Ceolwulf finished an encouraging fifth, before an outstanding and narrow third behind Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto) and Fangirl in last weekend’s George Ryder Stakes (1600m).
“Because we missed a run, I was left back tracking a little bit and having to give him a (Canterbury Stakes) run that didn’t really matter, but that he had to have,” Pride said.
“After last Saturday, I think the horse is very much back on track.”
Pride will also have a strong hand in the Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m) with Coal Crusher, Mazu and Dragonstone.
All three are genuine Group-class sprinters on their day but having scratched Mazu from The Galaxy last week, he is warming to the gelding as his top seed.
“I would think it is Mazu’s best opportunity this preparation,” Pride said.
“Coal Crusher is probably still a run away.
“You could say Dragonstone was disappointing last week (in The Galaxy) but he drew a bad barrier on a hard track. He’s got a soft draw this week, probably a wet track and he is a good back-up horse.”