Pride has Group hopes for colt

Joseph Pride has formed a high opinion of Ceolwulf and is already considering a black-type assignment for the son of Tavistock.

The Warwick Farm trainer is keen to lift the bar for the Cambridge Stud-bred three-year-old, who followed up a debut placing with a smart performance to win over 1400 metres on his home track.

“He’s a really nice colt and he’s still got a way to go in his development and what he needs to earn, but he’s got plenty of ability,” Pride said.

“He got the job done and he’s really exciting, I like him a lot.

“I have a mind to go to the Ming Dynasty (G3, 1400m) at Rosehill in a week and a-half, he would have to pull up well so we’ll see how he does.

”Ceolwulf broke well to settle in fourth spot before he improved three wide near the turn and was a willing partner for rider Sam Clipperton in the straight to seal victory.

He was sold for us by Sam and Hana Beatson’s Riversley Park at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale with Pride going to $170,000 to secure him.

Like our Doomben winner SIgnita, Ceolwulf is a son of an unraced Shamardal mare in Las Brisas who had an Almanzor filly last year.Las Brisas’ half-sister Nantyglo was a Listed winner with four-time Hong Kong elite level winner Wellington, G1 Irish Oaks heroine Moonstone and the G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Cerulean Sky add to an international pedigree.