Chad Schofield to grasp Golden opportunity in WJ McKell Cup

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Fresh from combining to claim the Gosford Cup with Hezashocka, jockey Chad Schofield and training partners Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are preparing to team up for another black-type bid.

Schofield has formed a strong partnership with the Victorian-based horsemen and of his last 100 rides, 11 have been for them, including three winners.

Among them, emerging four-year-old Golden Path, who Schofield is hoping can make a successful return to stakes company in Saturday’s Listed McKell Cup (2000m) at Rosehill.

“I think he’s a progressive horse who is really suited to the longer trips now,” Schofield said.

“He drops a lot in weight to 54 (kilos) on the weekend, albeit up in grade, but I think it’s a good time of year for him to take on a race like this.”

Schofield had his first ride on Golden Path in The Coast (1600m) two starts ago and felt he didn’t enjoy racing inside other horses.

From an outside draw last start, he was able to allow the gelding plenty of galloping room and felt that was a factor in his win.

“When I rode him at Newcastle in The Coast, he was always on the inside of horses and he didn’t seem all that comfortable there,” Schofield said.

“I rode him a bit differently the other day and he was quite dominant, he was much more comfortable with a bit of room.

“He got through the track well that day and he was really strong through the line and up in trip.”

Schofield will also partner stablemate Hughes in the Racing For Good On July 13 Handicap (1400m) and is tipping an improved second-up showing.

The four-year-old was having his first run in almost a year when fifth to Need Some Luck over 1250m at Canterbury and Schofield said the effort had merit.

“I thought he ran well. He found them a bit slick, he was a bit ring rusty after having so long off,” he said.

“With natural improvement and that sting out of him, he will run a much better race and on a bigger track too.

“He’s a horse who has put together a really good record with the few runs he’s had, hopefully he can keep building on that resume.”

Schofield will be in for a busy day at Rosehill with rides in all 11 races, among them a trio for Annabel Neasham including imported gelding Fortune.

Group placed in France, Fortune will make his Australian debut in the TAB Handicap (1500m) and while Schofield hasn’t been on his back, he has been impressed by his most recent trial.

“I have watched his barrier trials and I was quite taken with his latest one, he looked to quicken up really well and finished that trial off strongly,” Schofield said.

“Annabel is very good at getting these imports to acclimatise and adapt to Australian racing quite quickly and hopefully he is no different.”