Joe Pride has reminded the racing world of his elite training acumen, with Ceolwulf returning to form in stunning style to claim back-to-back victories in the $5 million King Charles III Stakes at Randwick.
After a below-par campaign that failed to match his 2024 heroics — when he captured the Epsom Handicap and King Charles III Stakes double — Pride rolled the dice with a key gear change, adding blinkers for the first time. The result was emphatic: Ceolwulf surged back to his dominant best.
“I’ve been saying for ages he’s the best horse I’ve ever trained,” Pride said. “It’s been a long wait for him to produce that kind of performance again, but I never doubted him. The blinkers gave him focus, and he really relished the task.”
Under Chad Schofield, the gelding ($10) travelled sweetly in midfield before slicing through the field and sprinting clear to score by 1¾ lengths over Mr Brightside ($4.20 fav), with outsider Pier ($51) finishing a brave third.
“Just a genius move by Joe,” Schofield said. “He knew exactly when to pull the trigger. The blinkers switched him on perfectly for the grand final. I’ve always had huge faith in him, and today he proved why.”
The victory not only reaffirmed Ceolwulf’s place among Australia’s premier milers but also set up a mouth-watering clash with southern stars during the Flemington Champions Day meeting. Pride confirmed that would be the horse’s next target. “He’ll head to Melbourne now — he’s earned his shot at another big one,” he said.
For all the latest spring betting odds and offers on The King Charles III Stakes and upcoming Flemington features, visit Australia’s top betting sites.
