‘Right Place, Right Time’: Chad Schofield emerges as racing’s go-to man

Chad Schofield is getting a reputation as the next man up for the stars of the turf.

It is a position earned and only held by performance.

What started with Ceolwulf 18 months ago, when he won the Epsom and the King Charles Stakes at his first two rides on the star miler, has developed into being the jockey of choice.

When big names like McDonald, Berry and Lloyd are booked up, Schofield is the name trainers turn to.

“It is about right place, right time,” Schofield said. “I have been riding at the top level for a while now, and people know me and know I can get it done.”

“But when you get these opportunities, there’s a bit of pressure, you don’t get a second chance. You need to get the job done.”

“I’m comfortable with that pressure. and it’s a lot easier on good ones than slow ones.”

This autumn Schofield was called on for Tempted in the Eskimo Prince Stakes, which has parlayed into Saturday’s Surround Stakes.

While winning the Silver Slipper on Stretan Ruler will see Schofield part of the team for the Todman Stakes and Golden Slipper.

“It is nice to be that man, because you also get opportunities like Cinsault last week when Tommy [Berry] was riding something else,” Schofield said. “When you are riding winners and it helps to get other opportunities.”

“You want to be riding these good horses in the best races.”

“I have always got good support from Godolphin since I was an apprentice and it’s exciting to be riding a filly like Tempted for them.”

Schofield chalked up win 700 on Wednesday, with a perfectly timed effort on My Phar Lady and has nine Group 1 wins, including a Cox Plate on Shamus Award, his first, a Newmarket and four with Ceolwulf.

He will carry the hopes of punters on Tempted, the $1.60 favourite for the Surround Stakes.

“She was dynamic the other day and just helps herself with everything she does,” Schofield said. “She gets out of the gates quickly, finds a position and then relaxes, which will be good at 1400m.”

“She is really a dream ride.”

“We have a good gate and they will have to beat her.”

Tempted, the runner-up in The Everest, will be looking for her first Group 1 on Saturday, while Ceolwulf and Schofield will chase a fifth top-level win in the Verry Elleegant Stakes.

It is a tough task meeting the unbeaten Autumn Glow, but Schofield is hoping the forecast rain arrives.

“If the track is wet it is to his advantage,” Schofield said. “He loves to getting his toe and he is going really well.”

“He is the horse that started me getting these chances. We just clicked from the start and I think he will be very competitive on the weekend.”

Schofield’s Saturday will start at dawn at Rosehill when he rides Stretan Ruler in a gallop before next week’s Todman.

“He is another I picked up and he was very impressive. It’s great because now I’m on him for the Golden Slipper,” Schofield said. “It is nice to be part of a team for the next couple of weeks after the Silver Slipper win.”