Ceolwulf out to join Winx in King Charles history
New Zealand-bred gelding Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) will attempt to join Winx in the history books when he chases a third consecutive victory in Saturday’s A$5 million Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.
The Joe Pride-trained gelding faces a formidable challenge from champion mare Autumn Glow, while the presence of free-running star Pride Of Jenni could prove crucial to his chances.
Pride believes Pride Of Jenni, who has helped set up Ceolwulf’s previous two victories, could again play into his hands by forcing Autumn Glow out of her comfort zone.
“Autumn Glow is a better horse than Ceolwulf, I would be an idiot to say otherwise but there are a certain set of circumstances that he can beat her,” Pride told Racenet.
“I think he is going to get them on Saturday but he still has to go out there and get the job done.
“Pride Of Jenni is a very good mare and I don’t take it for granted that her being there is another very good horse to beat but it potentially takes Autumn Glow out of her comfort zone a little more than she has been at her first couple of runs back.
“Under that scenario where it is a bit of a sit and sprint home, I am stating the obvious, she (Autumn Glow) is better than us at that.
“I want it to take her to a place she hasn’t been before and hopefully with Pride Of Jenni in the race, it’s got the potential to do that.”
Autumn Glow has won 13 of her 14 starts and holds a four-nil advantage over Ceolwulf in their previous meetings.
The Chris Waller-trained mare dominates betting at $1.30, with Ceolwulf second favourite at $3.50 ahead of Pride Of Jenni at $6.
Pride also believes a rain-affected track will favour Ceolwulf, who will be ridden by Chad Schofield.
Victory would see Ceolwulf become just the second horse to win the race three times, joining Winx, who completed her hat-trick between 2016 and 2018.
Already a four-time Group One winner, Ceolwulf is considered the best horse Pride has trained.
“He has won four Group 1s now and has a while to get into that kind of category but he is certainly the best horse I’ve trained.
“Hopefully, and I think there still is, more wins in store for him.”
Ceolwulf was bred by Cambridge Stud owners Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay and is out of the Shamardal mare Las Brisas.
He was purchased by Pride and part-owner Leighton Howl for $170,000 from Riversley Park’s draft at the 2022 NZB Ready to Run Sale. - NZ Racing Desk
Cosmic Crusader chasing Caulfield Cup glory for Peters
Prominent owner and breeder Bob Peters is hoping New Zealand-bred gelding Cosmic Crusader (NZ) (Maurice) can deliver him a long-awaited Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) victory on Saturday, 38 years after narrowly missing out on the prestigious staying feature.
The six-year-old, who was born at Windsor Park Stud in Cambridge, heads into the A$5 million contest following an impressive victory in the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington, with regular rider William Pike again aboard.
Peters, who bred Cosmic Crusader, admits there is a mixture of excitement and apprehension ahead of the gelding's first attempt at 2400m.
“It probably happens to trainers too, when you’ve got as close as interest as I’ve got, it’s really apprehension about what’s going to happen,” Peters told Racing.com.
Cosmic Crusader's emergence as a Group One contender has been remarkable, having undergone throat surgery after struggling to reproduce his early form.
Veterinarian Dr Tom Ahern identified a soft palate issue requiring surgery, and the gelding has subsequently developed into one of Australia's leading middle-distance performers.
His Turnbull Stakes triumph came on a Heavy 8 surface, and Peters admits a firmer Caulfield track is a concern.
“I am a bit worried about the track because he didn’t perform that well in the Underwood when the track dried out and there isn’t much rain around in Melbourne this week,” he said.
“But Group 1s, you all aspire to have a runner and we are lucky enough to have a horse in one.”
While Cosmic Crusader is yet to race beyond 2000m, Peters believes his strong finishing efforts suggest he can handle the additional distance.
“It’s a bit of a question mark,” he said.
“But the way he finishes his races off, he always seems to have a bit left there.”
Peters has unfinished business with the Caulfield Cup, having watched his runner Congressman narrowly beaten by Imposera in 1988.
He recalled believing he had won, with then Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke among those congratulating him before the photo finish went against his horse.
“We thought we had it won,” Peters said.
“Bob Hawke was the Prime Minister at the time and he’s patting me on the back and he said ‘you’ve won it mate’ and everyone was saying it and even I actually thought he’d won.
“He was going that hard on the line. He got caught up on the corner but when he got out he just flew home and normally when they are on the outside with that momentum, they usually get the nod. But not this time.”
Nearly four decades later, Peters is hoping Cosmic Crusader can provide a different result in his famous cerise and white silks.
“I’m hoping I’ll have something good to look at,” he said. - NZ Racing Desk
Consistent Cross Tasman to go one better
Tom Charlton believes Cross Tasman (NZ) (Super Seth) has found the right race on Saturday at Royal Randwick to add another victory to his resume.
The five-year-old gelding has been a model of consistency throughout his career with four wins and six placings from 11 starts, finishing runner up in both runs back from a spell, first up in the Goulburn Cup and then to the talented Decorum at Rosehill three weeks' ago.
Cross Tasman will line up in the HKJC World Pool Handicap at Benchmark 88 level and Charlton, who trains in partnership with John O'Shea, said he brings the right form to the 1400m contest.
"It was a strong performance last time," Charlton said.
"We just nearly had the winner in a pocket which would have potentially changed things but the winner there looks a group horse and he gapped out third.
"He's really progressing nicely and he'll present a good chance this weekend."
Bred by Waikato Stud, Cross Tasman is by Super Seth out of the versatile triple Group One winner Daffodil, whose elite level victories included an Australian Oaks and New Zealand 2000 Guineas.
Cross Tasman will also seek some of Sydney's Spring riches later in the carnival with a likely tilt at the $750,000 Little Dance on Melbourne Cup day his target after Saturday.
"He is qualified for the Little Dance on Cup day having placed in the Goulburn Cup first up and that would seem a logical route for him after Saturday," Charlton said.
"The Five Diamonds over 1800 metres is not out of the realms of possibility as well, it would be a five day backup but it's something we'll have in the back of our mind as well." - NZ Racing Desk
Joshua Smith
Joshua Smith
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