Trainer Joe Pride is confident Ceolwulf can put the drama of his first-up run behind him when he steps out in Saturday’s Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

The star galloper finished fourth in the Group 1 Winx Stakes, with jockey Chad Schofield copping criticism for steering wide on the turn while the quinella, Via Sistina and Aeliana, saved ground along the fence. Pride said Schofield made a split-second call based on track conditions.

“It was a first-up run and he was playing the percentages,” Pride explained. “Normally coming out wide on heavy tracks without getting kick back is the thing to do. Chad was the first one to put his hand up and say it was the wrong one. That’s racing, we move on and here we are second-up.”

Installed as even money favourite for the Chelmsford, Ceolwulf will benefit from an inside draw, and Pride believes he has returned to his best. “It looked like the Ceolwulf of last spring,” he said. “The way he was stretching out reminded me of his wins in the King Charles III Stakes and the Epsom Handicap.”

Pride will also have strong representation across the Randwick card with Private Eye tackling the Tramway Stakes (1400m), while Dragonstone and in-form mare In Flight line up in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes. In Flight is chasing her fourth straight win.

“She’s won her last three and she doesn’t know how to get beaten at the moment,” Pride said. “She’s very competitive and I’m looking forward to seeing her step out again.”

Punters can back Ceolwulf, Private Eye, and In Flight this weekend with early markets open on Australia’s trusted betting sites.