Returning jockey Chad Schofield will be reunited with a former Hong Kong stayer in his first meeting back in Sydney, desperate to prove he can match it with the city’s biggest names while also riding against his father Glyn.
The Cox Plate-winning jockey, who won Australasia’s weight-for-age championship as an apprentice, cut short his stint in Hong Kong after almost seven seasons and the group 3 Summer Cup at Royal Randwick on Boxing Day will have a familiar feel.
Chad Schofield returns to scale after winning the Cox Plate as an apprentice aboard Shamus Award in 2013.Credit:Joe Armao
Schofield will partner ex-Hong Kong stayer Ho Ho Khan in the feature, having ridden him twice early in his career.
The Mitchell Freedman acquisition ran twice in the Hong Kong Vase, the jurisdiction’s premier staying race at their international meeting, and was a luckless third in his first Australian start in the Wodonga Cup.
“I actually did a lot of riding on him in Hong Kong,” Schofield said. “I know him very well. He’s a nice horse. He raced in some of the better staying races in Hong Kong. He loves it wet, which he obviously never got in Hong Kong.”
Expectant father Schofield blew out the cobwebs in his first meeting back at Gosford on Thursday, but will fancy his chances of getting on the board at Royal Randwick with Sydney’s premier trainer Chris Waller lending support.
While premiership pacesetter and Waller’s No.1 gun James McDonald joins Tommy Berry in Brisbane, Schofield has picked up three rides for Waller at the meeting, including the unbeaten Niffler in a restricted 1800 metre race.
“She does look good and she’s drawn a nice barrier, and hopefully she can extend her winning streak,” Schofield said.
“I’m really happy to be getting the support of Chris Waller nice and early. I understand there’s a couple of jockeys away for Christmas. He’s given me some nice horses, so hopefully I can repay them.
Hong Kong connection continues for Schofield in Sydney
Source: Philippines Alive
