Joe Pride says Ceolwulf has enjoyed the perfect lead-up into his return at Randwick, despite Sydney’s persistent wet weather.

The multiple Group 1 winner is scheduled to resume in Saturday’s Winx Stakes (1400m), even with the track sitting as a Heavy 10 on Tuesday and more rain predicted before the weekend.

Randwick has already felt the impact of the conditions, with the August 9 meeting abandoned due to rain-sodden ground. Pride acknowledged it wasn’t ideal, but said Ceolwulf’s proven ability on rain-affected going gave him confidence.

“It won’t be a problem for him,” Pride said. “He ran a place in the (Australian) Derby, and he won a race on the wet last prep. It’s not ideal to be first-up on heavy, but you can’t wait forever, especially with the weather in Sydney as you would never get a run into a horse if you were waiting for a dry track.”

“He’s had his two trials, which is good. He’s had a nice, even preparation into it and seems to be coming up well.”

Ceolwulf captured the Epsom Handicap and King Charles III Stakes last spring and is again likely to be targeted at those Sydney features. Melbourne is not off the table, but Pride indicated any trip south would come later in the carnival.

“I haven’t finalised his program yet, but we’ll more than likely keep him in Sydney,” Pride said. “I would love to have him in Melbourne for at least a run or two, but that may not be until Flemington.”

On the question of racing left-handed, Pride was cautious. “I’ve never been a fan of working reverse as our tracks aren’t set up for that and I feel like it’s a bit of a compromise to the preparation,” he said. “Once a horse gets to his age and he can’t run fast left and right, he might be in a bit of trouble. One thing he is, he’s an athlete.”