A pressing query faces Joe Pride with Ceolwulf this autumn – does the gelding possess Group One ability stretched out to 2000 metres?
His record delivers ambiguous results.
Peak efforts at a mile dominate, countered by a third in the Australian Derby at three years and a gritty Group 2 score over middle distances subsequently.
Yet thorough beatings mark his efforts in the past pair of Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
The explosive-finishing backmarker commences his five-race series at Randwick Saturday, prompting Pride’s tactical approach to the distance dilemma.
“This preparation, I am about once and for all establishing if he can run 2000 metres as well as what he runs a mile,” Pride said.
“There’s no doubt he runs 2000 metres, but is he as effective?
“And does he get the right set-up for 2000? He never seems to get speed on, and that might be the defining factor for him. He might get in a 2000 metre race that is run a bit different and be a different horse.”
Ceolwulf earns dual platforms to showcase middle-distance aptitude – his fourth appearance in the Australian Cup (2000m) on Flemington turf and wrapping with the Queen Elizabeth.
Opening assignment: Saturday’s Apollo Stakes (1400m) taking on perfect mare Autumn Glow and her classy yardmate Aeliana.
First-up triumphs elude Ceolwulf, but notable runs persist, including a bold fourth versus Fangirl last year here during flat spell.
Multiple explanations for last autumn’s fade per Pride, with the key fix implemented.
“I’m convinced one of them was that I had him too big,” he said.
“I had him up around 530 kilos for his first-up run last time and he’s 510 now. I’m not a believer in a fighting weight for a horse so much, but with this horse, there is just a weight he runs well at and it’s around that (510 kilos).”
He’ll close strongly Saturday, Pride accepting “in the first four or five” as a solid start with excellent betting markets for the race in the Apollo Stakes.
Biweekly outings follow to sharpen him for the preparation’s closing acts, pivotal to his long-term direction.
“It is always my aim to find out what the one perfect formula is for each horse, and I’ll repeat it all day long,” Pride said.
“That’s why I want to work it out with Ceolwulf. I don’t want to waste any more time running him in 2000 metre races if he can’t perform at his best at that distance.
“I’ll keep him a miler for the rest of his life if I have to. I’ve just got to find that out.”
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