Picture: Steve Hart
The Cox Plate is the race Joe Pleasure needs to win with Ceolwulf, however he’s unlikely to aim it this 12 months
Billed as a showdown between daring frontrunner Pleasure Of Jenni and Sydney star Fangirl, the King Charles III Stakes has as an alternative confirmed a cheerful searching floor for rising star Ceolwulf.
The last-start Epsom Handicap winner turned giant-killer at Randwick, doing what many horses earlier than him have been unable to by mowing down Pleasure Of Jenni in Saturday’s $5 million King Charles III Stakes.
Pleasure, who prepares a medium-sized workforce at Warwick Farm, mentioned successful a race of that magnitude and beating the most important stables to take action was satisfying.
“It’s the little mom and father store on the nook beats the massive supermarkets,” Pleasure mentioned.
“I’m simply actually grateful to come back throughout a horse like this. The world’s his oyster.
“I at all times thought he had one thing very particular about him. I can’t say I’ve ever skilled one that appears like this horse, can run like this horse or pulls up like this horse.
“He’s acquired an enormous, large stride on him and clearly a large engine.”
Ceolwulf offered a excessive level in a rollercoaster afternoon for his coach, who earlier received the Angst Stakes with Lekvarte earlier than his day nosedived when 2023 Everest winner Assume About It collapsed throughout the Sydney Stakes after struggling a bleeding assault.
Most on target feared the worst however miraculously, Assume About It acquired again to his toes a short while later and Pleasure confirmed he was via the worst.
“Fortunately, he’s nicely. He’s previous the hazard interval now, so I’ll get him dwelling and take excellent care of him,” Pleasure mentioned.
“I doubt we’ll see him race once more however the primary factor is he’s nonetheless acquired all 4 toes on the bottom and he was calm and relaxed as soon as he acquired again on the float.”
Pleasure didn’t wish to decide to his subsequent transfer with Ceolwulf however mentioned a seven-day back-up into the 2024 Cox Plate was unlikely, though the 2025 model was on his radar.
“They’ll solely go to date in a single preparation,” Pleasure mentioned.
“I’m not making any dedication proper right here, however I’d hate to ship this horse to the races and have him not carry out. There’s a lot to come back with this horse.
“I’ve at all times needed to win the Cox Plate and he’s my Cox Plate horse. I’ll wait a 12 months. And he may win it for the following couple of years after that.”
Ceolwulf ($6.50) unleashed a scorching ending burst to down Pleasure Of Jenni ($2.70 fav) by three-quarters of a size with My Oberon working a mighty race for third, one other brief neck away.
Successful jockey Chad Schofield mentioned he got here into the race bullish regardless of the calibre of opposition.
“I used to be very assured in my horse. We all know the stamina he’s acquired and we noticed the flip of foot he has final begin within the Epsom,” Schofield mentioned.
“It’s very uncommon for a horse to have each of these issues, and he’s only a breath-taking horse. He’s enhancing on a regular basis too, which is horrifying.”
Fangirl ($2.90) completed sixth, crushed 4 lengths, jockey James Mcdonald saying she struggled to adapt to the velocity of the race.
“I used to be pleased with her efforts. She tried actually onerous. She simply discovered that tempo very fast,” McDonald mentioned.
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