Ceolwulf will be absent from Thursday’s Warwick Farm trials after picking up a minor leg issue earlier this week.

Trainer Joe Pride confirmed the multiple Group 1 winner sustained a graze after becoming cast in his stall, prompting connections to withdraw him from his scheduled 900-metre trial.

Despite the interruption, Pride remains confident the setback will not impact the gelding’s return to racing, with the Apollo Stakes (1400m) still firmly on the agenda.

“He must have gotten cast. He just has a graze, but I’ll scratch him from the trial tomorrow,” Pride said.

“He’ll be fine. As long as I can get it right pretty quickly, we’ll get to our first-up run.”

Ceolwulf wrapped up his spring with back-to-back Group 1 victories in the King Charles III Stakes and the Champions Mile, confirming himself among the elite weight-for-age performers.

Pride said he was disappointed Ceolwulf would not get another opportunity to clash with Via Sistina following her retirement.

“It’s sad he doesn’t get a chance to compete against her again because he should have beaten her first-up last time (in the Winx Stakes) when Chad (Schofield), by his own admission, put in a bad ride,” he said.

“There looks like a bit of a changing of the guard in the weight-for-age races, so I’m hoping there is a little lull there and a moment for him to really shine.”

Meanwhile, Pride confirmed stablemate Attica will trial again on Thursday as he continues his build toward the Hobartville Stakes.

The Spring Champion Stakes winner will have one more hit-out before resuming, with the Randwick Guineas a key target.

“Each trial, we will be asking him for a little bit more,” Pride said.

“He needs to be primed to run well first-up because second-up is a very important run.”

Thursday’s trials will also feature several high-profile gallopers including Angel Capital, Joliestar, Stefi Magnetica, River Of Stars and Autumn Boy.