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By Ray Hickson

Chad Schofield is quick to jump to Ceolwulf’s defence at the suggestion that Saturday’s Group 1 $1m The Agency George Ryder Stakes (1500m) is a chance for the star four-year-old to get his autumn back on track.

Jockey Chad Schofield (Pic: Bradley Photos).

It’s fair to say that since his first-up run things haven’t gone to trainer Joe Pride’s plan, with a minor injury causing a pivot in his preparation, but Schofield will go to Rosehill on Saturday confident Ceolwulf is very much on target.

The gelding was forced to miss the Verry Elleegant Stakes over the Randwick mile due to that small issue and his second-up run was instead the Canterbury Stakes over 1300m where he ran a creditable fifth.

While Schofield wasn’t in the saddle that day due to suspension he said the horse couldn’t have run better.

“I don’t think he’s ever been off track,’’ Schofield said.

“I know he had that little setback and had to run in the Canterbury Stakes and to divert the plan a little bit. But his two runs back have been phenomenal and I’m full of confidence.

“He's done nothing wrong this prep, first-up he was huge and his sectionals were the best of the race against those two mares.

“He had to go back in trip second-up and I thought his run was as good as it could have been, his sectionals were strong, and he’s back in a race where he looks like he can stamp himself.”

The dual Group 1 mile winner, $5.50 with TAB on Thursday, clocked the second fastest last 600m of the Canterbury Stakes running 33.21 (Punter’s Intelligence).

That proved to Schofield that Ceolwulf is very much on track to add to his Group 1 collection this autumn and increase his standing as one of the rising stars of Australian racing.

“He practically sprinted with the best sprinters and for a horse to do that over an unsuitable trip I thought it was full of merit,’’ he said.

“I believe it’s only a matter of time before he reaches the top because I have so much belief in the horse.”

Schofield said he has a small balancing act to do in the Ryder with barrier two, a gate he wouldn’t be swapping and one that could be an advantage over his major rival Fangirl who beat him in the Apollo Stakes first-up.

“It’s a nice draw to have, it gives us some options. He is a horse that likes to travel and find a rhythm so we don’t really want to be changing that but it gives us options,’’ he said.

“She’s a superstar mare and it’s her set up, 1500m on a firm track, but Ceolwulf is the new kid on the block and we’re there to showcase his ability.”

Golden Path has found the likes of Via Sistina and company a bit too good over shorter trips in two runs this autumn but Schofield said he’s interested to see how competitive he can be up in trip in the Group 1 $1m Ranvet Stakes (2000m).

The five-year-old has finished sixth in both the Apollo and Verry Elleegant Stakes and improved his beaten margin to two lengths in the latter at a mile.

“I thought he’d been very courageous in his runs this preparation and I’ll even go as far as saying I think he’s gone to a new level,’’ Schofield said.

“He gets a more ideal set up over a journey that suits. Full credit to the team for taking him through his grades and getting him to Group 1 level. He’s continued to improve, he obviously has to take on Via Sistina but he’s an honest, game, horse.

Ceolwulf runs fifth in the Canterbury Stakes

“He’s raced those horses this preparation but that was over unsuitable trips. We’ll see how he goes on Saturday, we would have liked a bit more rain around.”

Chad Schofield on Clear Proof (race 4): “I think he’s a very underrated horse. He’s only won the one race but he is a horse with a lot of class. He might not show it on Saturday but I’d be watching him, I think he’s untapped. It’ll be too short for him but we’ll be getting back and looking to run on strongly.”

All the fields, form and replays for Golden Slipper day at Rosehill