The deluge of overnight rain in Sydney has been music to the ears of trainer Joe Pride, who is of the opinion that the wetter the track conditions, the better for Ceolwulf’s pursuit of a King Charles III Stakes three-peat.
Randwick was transformed into heavy going on Wednesday, and although weather forecasts are diverse, the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts an additional 12mm of rain to fall this week.
Ceolwulf has demonstrated excellent form on heavy ground, achieving two wins and a placing from four starts, including his victory in last year’s Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington on a saturated track. Consequently, the prospect of Saturday’s testing conditions presents no concern for his conditioner.
“The more the better,” Pride remarked concerning the rain forecast. “He’s a great wet tracker. After he won the King Charles last year and went to Melbourne, the track he won on there was bottomless and he thrived on it. It has fallen into place beautifully so far. I’ve got a few days to go, and I don’t take them for granted. Every moment before the race there’s an opportunity for things not to go to plan, but I’m extremely pleased with the horse and I couldn’t have scripted it better, at this stage anyway, with the set of circumstances we’re going into the race with.”
These circumstances also involve the presence of the keenly run frontrunner, Pride Of Jenni. Although she was not initially slated to compete in the King Charles, she was among a select group of six acceptors on Wednesday.
Her inclusion will guarantee that the $5 million race is conducted at a genuine tempo. While Pride Of Jenni will be a tough opponent, Pride is hopeful that the Victorian mare may also disrupt the race plans of the favoured galloper Autumn Glow.
“She’s a very good mare (Pride Of Jenni), and her being there is another very good horse to beat,” Pride commented. “But it potentially takes Autumn Glow out of her comfort zone a little bit more than what she has been these first couple of runs back. Under the scenario where it’s a sit and sprint home, I’m stating the obvious – she (Autumn Glow) is better than us at that. I want to take her to hopefully a place she hasn’t been before, and with Pride Of Jenni in the race there’s the potential to do that.”
Ceolwulf has historically followed the Epsom Handicap (1600m) route to the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) for the past two years, a preparation strategy Pride has replicated.
However, a potential start in the Cox Plate, just seven days later, remains a consideration.
The trainer has not ruled out the possibility of Ceolwulf backing up in the weight-for-age championship, which is being held at Flemington this year, but a decision will be made post-Saturday’s event.
“Probably a decision on Sunday morning about whether we take him down for the Cox Plate, and if he doesn’t he’ll go for the Champions Stakes,” Pride concluded. For the King Charles II Stakes, Ceolwulf will also be fitted with blinkers, a gear change not employed earlier in his current campaign.
Find the best racing betting markets for the King Charles III Stakes at your favourite betting sites.
