Jockey Chad Schofield may attribute his initial opportunities with star horses Tempted and Ceolwulf to good fortune and timing, but it is his skill and execution that have kept him in contention.

Schofield has developed a strong association with both horses, which will continue during the most significant event of the Sydney spring carnival. Tempted is set to face Hong Kong’s renowned galloper Ka Ying Rising in the Everest (1200m), and Ceolwulf will contend in the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) against the mare Autumn Glow.

His partnership with Tempted began as a one-off booking. However, as Schofield continued to achieve success, the relationship has evolved into an unbeaten streak spanning five starts, with the potential for further victories.

“I guess I was lucky to get on her in the first place. She was already a high-profiled and credentialled horse, but she’s obviously gone to a new level since then,” Schofield commented.

“I got on her as a race-to-race proposition, but I’ve just been lucky enough to keep getting the job done on her. Long may it continue.”

Schofield has cultivated a similar bond with Ceolwulf, one that extends further back in time.

The horse and jockey first collaborated to win the 2024 Epsom Handicap and King Charles III Stakes double. Schofield has ridden Ceolwulf in all but one of his 17 starts since that memorable win.

The hoop is certain that intimate knowledge of a horse can significantly impact outcomes at the elite level.

“Horses like Tempted and Ceolwulf, now that I’ve ridden them as much as I have, I feel like I know them as well as I possibly can,” he stated.

“I know exactly how they like to be ridden, what their assets are. They’ve both got similar styles in terms of how they race.”

“I’m just very lucky to be able to go to the races on Saturday knowing I can hop on those two horses.”

While Ceolwulf is pursuing his third King Charles III Stakes (1600m) title, Tempted is regarded as Australia’s best chance to halt Ka Ying Rising’s impressive 21-race winning streak.

Schofield is content with Tempted’s barrier one draw. He notes that while her past two wins have been exceptional, her best form is still anticipated.

“Her two runs this ‘prep’ she has drawn wide, and I’ve had to reverse park to get cover and bring her back,” he explained.

“At least from that draw I’ll be able to let her be as close or far back as she wants to be.”

“I feel like she’s getting better too. She was very good last prep as a three-year-old, but she’s come back bigger and better. She was awesome first-up, she improved on that second-up, and she’ll be peaking now.”

On the prospect of Tempted defeating the world’s highest-rated horse in the most lucrative turf race globally?

“I think she can,” Schofield affirmed.

“It’s hard to say because we don’t know how he’s travelled, or how he’s going to handle the conditions. But all I know is Tempted is flying and she will handle the conditions.”

“If he comes out and beats Tempted, I’ll take my hat off to him because I know how good Tempted is.”

For those keen to place a wager on the day’s feature races, exploring the available racing odds at online bookmakers is a great starting point.