The $1 million Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday shapes as an early-season highlight, and one promising gelding is Ceolwulf, who resumes for Joe Pride with the promise of bigger things to come.
The New Zealand-bred five-year-old has already built an imposing profile, his 2024 prep highlighted by a Group 1 King Charles victory after claiming the Group 1 Epsom Handicap. His recent trial saw him finish second to Private Eye who won with authority at Group 2 level in Melbourne last weekend. With natural progression and a trainer renowned for timing his horses to the minute, Ceolwulf gets the perfect platform to announce himself as a genuine weight-for-age player this spring.
Although not known to thrive in his first up runs barrier 8 and the booking of regular partner Chad Schofield says he looks ideal for his return.
“He’s going really well. He’s had two nice trials to get ready for this first up. The rain and a heavy 10 will certainly make it interesting but we know he can handle heavy and I look forward to riding him again. He’s an elite racehorse” said Schofield when speaking with iRace on Wednesday after acceptances.
At 59kg under the standard WFA scale, Ceolwulf meets the older brigade on equal terms and gives the impression 1400m fresh is right in his wheelhouse.
Standing in his way is Via Sistina, last year’s Cox Plate heroine who resumes under Chris Waller. Few horses can boast her international résumé, and she commands instant respect with a 125-handicap rating – the highest in the field.
But there is a wrinkle. While her class is beyond question, Via Sistina’s record on heavy ground is not. With Sydney weather acting more like winter in August, the Randwick surface may not play to her strengths if the skies open. On dry footing, her turn of foot can blow rivals away; on heavy going, she has proven vulnerable as we saw in Melbourne last spring.
The depth of the Winx Stakes is typically strong. Light Infantry Man, Fangirl, and Gringotts all return with Group 1 form, while the ever-consistent Robusto and Sydney Cup victor Arapaho begins his Melbourne Cup campaign. It’s a race befitting its namesake and black type credibility for those chasing spring features.
For all the depth, the narrative centres on Ceolwulf’s next step. If he can topple a Cox Plate winner first-up, the path to spring riches will open wide. But if Via Sistina handles the ground, her sheer class could make her impossible to hold out.
Either way, the Winx Stakes sets the tone for the carnival ahead.
-Scott Bailey
