Chad Schofield works Sweynesse this week
Godolphin’s trainer John O’Shea will give Sweynesse’s jockey Chad Schofield simple riding instructions before Saturday’s Cox Plate — follow Zac Purton.
O’Shea’s speed map has the Purton-ridden Sacred Falls going back from his wide barrier early and the trainer wants Schofield to get onto that horse’s back during the race.
“I think from out gate (12), Sweynesse will be going back to second last,’’ O’Shea said.
“We will just try and follow Zac (Sacred Falls) and hope he takes us into the race.’’
Sweynesse lost his unbeaten record when third to Hampton Court in the Spring Champion Stakes last start but O’Shea found enough encouragement from the colt’s run to throw him into the Cox Plate cauldron today.
“He ran third in a very strong, fast-run Group 1 race,’’ O’Shea said. “He is a genuine 10 furlong (2000m) Group 1 horse.
“I think three-year-olds with less form than him have been successful in the Cox Plate before.’’
O’Shea said Sweynesse’s only loss in four starts proved the colt must be ridden in a particular way — quiet early and saved for a final surge.
Schofield’s riding tactics will be totally different to what he successfully employed in the Cox Plate last year when he led throughout on the then-maiden Shamus Award to record a shock win from Happy Trails and Fiorente.
Chad Schofield
“Sweynesse has won his races by sweeping home late,’’ O’Shea said. ‘So we won’t be hunting him out of the gates.
“The Moonee Valley track will help him because he enjoys a bit of ‘cut’ in the ground.’’
O’Shea didn’t hesitate when asked the horses to beat in the Cox Plate — Fawkner, Criterion and Sacred Falls who ran first, second and fourth in the Caulfield Stakes two weeks ago.
“There is no doubting that is the best form race,’’ he added.
“Those three are top weight-for-age horses, proven at the trip and they are tough and hardened.’’
Final Field for the Gr1 A$ 3 million Cox Plate (2040m)
1 SACRED FALLS (NZ) Chris Waller Zac Purton (9) 59kg
2 FAWKNER Robert Hickmott Nicholas Hall (4) 59kg
3 SIDE GLANCE (GB) Andrew Balding Jamie Spencer (7) 59kg
4 HAPPY TRAILS Paul Beshara Damien Oliver (2) 59kg
5 FORETELLER (GB) Chris Waller Tommy Berry (1) 59kg
6 THE CLEANER Mick Burles Steven Arnold (14) 59kg
7 GUEST OF HONOUR (IRE) Marco Botti Craig Williams (10) 59kg
8 CRITERION (NZ) David Payne James McDonald (6) 57.5kg
9 SILENT ACHIEVER (NZ) Roger James Nash Rawiller (11) 57kg
10 ROYAL DESCENT Chris Waller Glen Boss (3) 57kg
11 ADELAIDE (IRE) Aidan O’Brien Ryan Moore (13) 56kg
12 ALMALAD Gai Waterhouse Craig Newitt (8) 49.5kg
13 SWEYNESSE John O’Shea Chad Schofield (12) 49.5kg
14 WANDJINA Gai Waterhouse ——— (5) 49.5kg
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