Ceolwulf Scratched from Warwick Farm Trial After Minor Injury, Still on Track for Apollo Stakes

Multiple Group One winner Ceolwulf will not take part in the Warwick Farm barrier trials this week after a minor leg injury forced his withdrawal.

Trainer Joe Pride confirmed the horse suffered a small graze after appearing to become cast in his box, prompting connections to scratch him from his scheduled 900-metre trial on Thursday. The session was set to be Ceolwulf’s first public outing of the year.

While the setback is less than ideal, Pride said it is not expected to disrupt the gelding’s overall preparation ahead of his planned return in the Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on February 14.

“He must have gotten cast. He just has a graze, but I’ll scratch him from the trial tomorrow,” Pride said.

“He’ll be fine. As long as I can get it right pretty quickly, we’ll get to our first-up run.”

Ceolwulf wrapped up a strong spring campaign with consecutive Group One victories in the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick and the Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington.

He is now being prepared for the major middle-distance weight-for-age races this autumn. Pride admitted he was disappointed the horse would miss the opportunity to renew his rivalry with Via Sistina, following confirmation of her retirement earlier this week.

“It’s sad he doesn’t get a chance to compete against her again because he should have beaten her first-up last time in the Winx Stakes, when Chad (Schofield), by his own admission, put in a bad ride,” Pride said.

“There looks like a bit of a changing of the guard in the weight-for-age races, so I’m hoping there is a little lull there and a moment for him to really shine.”

Stablemate Attica, the winner of the Spring Champion Stakes, will trial at Warwick Farm on Thursday as planned in preparation for his three-year-old campaign. It will be the colt’s second trial as he builds toward the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on February 21.

Pride said he is very pleased with Attica’s progress and confirmed the horse will have one more trial next month to ensure he is fully prepared for his early-season targets.

“Each trial, we will be asking him for a little bit more,” he said.

“He needs to be primed to run well first-up because second-up is a very important run, the Randwick Guineas. I don’t want to leave him underdone for a Group One race and that’s early in his prep.”

Thursday’s Warwick Farm trials will also feature two Group heats, attracting several leading carnival contenders, including sprinters Angel Capital and Joliestar, accomplished mares Stefi Magnetica and River Of Stars, and Caulfield Guineas winner Autumn Boy.