Wet conditions to aid Ceolwulf's King Charles defence
Trainer Joe Pride is hoping the rain continues to fall in Sydney ahead of New Zealand-bred galloper Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) chasing a third consecutive Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) victory at Randwick on Saturday.
The son of Tavistock has established himself among Australia's leading milers, claiming the $5 million feature in each of the past two years, and Pride believes testing conditions will only enhance his chances of completing a hat-trick.
Randwick was downgraded into the heavy range on Wednesday following significant overnight rain, with further showers forecast in the lead-up to Saturday's meeting.
Ceolwulf has recorded two wins and a placing from four starts on heavy ground, including his victory in last year's Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington, and Pride is delighted with how conditions are shaping up.
"The more the better," Pride said of the forecast for rain.
"He's a great wet tracker. After he won the King Charles last year and went to Melbourne, the track he won on there was bottomless and he thrived on it.
"It has fallen into place beautifully so far. I've got a few days to go, and I don't take them for granted. Every moment before the race there's an opportunity for things not to go to plan, but I'm extremely pleased with the horse and I couldn't have scripted it better, at this stage anyway, with the set of circumstances we're going into the race with."
Among Ceolwulf's five rivals is free-running mare Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai), whose inclusion is expected to ensure a genuine tempo in the weight-for-age contest.
While acknowledging the challenge posed by the Victorian mare, Pride believes her presence could also work in Ceolwulf's favour against unbeaten race favourite Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun).
"She's a very good mare (Pride Of Jenni), and her being there is another very good horse to beat," Pride said.
"But it potentially takes Autumn Glow out of her comfort zone a little bit more than what she has been these first couple of runs back. Under the scenario where it's a sit and sprint home, I'm stating the obvious – she (Autumn Glow) is better than us at that.
"I want to take her to hopefully a place she hasn't been before, and with Pride Of Jenni in the race there's the potential to do that."
Pride has followed a familiar path into the King Charles III Stakes, with Ceolwulf contesting the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick at his previous start, as he did before winning the race in both 2024 and 2025.
The six-year-old could face a quick turnaround following Saturday's assignment, with Pride considering backing him up seven days later in the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m), which will be staged at Flemington this year.
"Probably a decision on Sunday morning about whether we take him down for the Cox Plate, and if he doesn't he'll go for the Champions Stakes," Pride said.
Ceolwulf will also have blinkers reapplied for the first time this preparation as he attempts to add another Group One victory to his record.
Bred by Brendan and Jo Lindsay of Cambridge Stud, Ceolwulf is by the late Tavistock out of the unraced Shamardal mare Las Brisas, a half-sister to stakes winner Nantyglo.
He was purchased by Pride and Leighton Howl for $170,000 from Riversley Park's draft at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2022 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka.
Ceolwulf has since developed into one of the sale's top graduates, winning four Group One races, including two editions of the King Charles III Stakes, the Epsom Handicap (1600m) and Champions Mile (1600m), and amassing more than A$11 million in prizemoney.
