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By Ray Hickson

Jockey Chad Schofield is looking to add a second stakes victory for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable in as many months when he partners Golden Path in the Listed $200,000 Toyota Forklifts WJ McKell Cup (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday

Chad Schofield (Pic: Steve Hart)

Schofield has an association with the Mick Price stable that dates back a decade, to winning the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap on Lankan Rupee, and with the training partnership looking to increase their Sydney presence he’s rapt to be part of the team.

He’s already won the Gosford Cup on Hezashocka, he rode Golden Path to victory at Randwick last month and his latest ride for the stable was a winning one on The Creator at Canterbury.

“I rode a fair bit for Mick as an apprentice in Melbourne, I won on Lankan Rupee for him along with other good races,’’ Schofield said.

“He’s always been supportive of me and since he’s been travelling horses here he’s been keen to have me on and it’s been much appreciated.

“We’ve struck really well and we’ve got a good record together. They’re really good trainers and they’ve been very good at selecting the right horses to bring.”

Golden Path, $3.30 with TAB on Friday, is a lightly raced gelding who Schofield said is only now coming into his own since the stable has stepped him up in distance.

He saw a noticeable improvement from his close up fifth in The Coast when he wore down Father’s Day at his first attempt over 2000m a month ago.

“In The Coast he drew one and I was always on the inside of horses cluttered up,’’ he said.

“Although he ran well he really appreciated more room and being on the outside the other day.

“It was a real staying test and he was very strong through the line so he enjoyed the trip.

“He’s a progressive horse, he’s up in grade and he drops a lot in weight and I think that’s suitable for him.”

The four-year-old drops 3kg on that gritty win and Schofield said he’ll appreciate again being able to be outside horses having drawn nine.

“He has nice early gate speed and he relaxes well. He’s a big horse and likes to find a good rhythm,’’ he said.

“He’s only lightly raced and he’s only getting up in distance now, we’ve noticed how much he’s enjoying it so I’m sure he has a nice future.”

While the market has stablemate Hughes rated an outsider in the Racing For Good On July 13 Handicap (1400m), Schofield is anticipating a cheeky showing from the gelding.

Hughes ran fifth at Canterbury on June 10 at his first start since August last year and Schofield said it was noticeable that he was in need of the run.

“He was a bit fresh before the race and he would have taken huge benefit from the run,’’ he said.

“He’s another lightly raced horse and he’ll run an improved race.”

Among his other Rosehill rides is imported galloper Fortune who makes his debut for Annabel Neasham in the TAB Handicap (1500m).

Golden Path wins at Randwick on May 25

While Schofield hasn’t been on the gelding’s back he did pay particular notice of his barrier trial win at Hawkesbury recently where he unintentionally sported the red pre-race ear muffs in the 1200m heat.

“I was quite taken with his trial at Hawkesbury,’’ he said.

“He actually trialled in the ear muffs which was an error, the red ones didn’t come off, but he looked to quicken off the bridle well.

“Annabel has a good record with these imports and getting them to fire quickly in Australia.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill meeting