No rest for Everest hero as Schofield’s dream week rolls on ahead of Cox Plate

Just four days after guiding Tempted to an upset victory over Ka Ying Rising in the world’s richest race on turf, Chad Schofield was back at Warwick Farm doing what he does best.

Not about to rest on his laurels, the Everest-winning jockey posted an early treble on Wednesday’s midweek card, kicking it off aboard the Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Prince Of Verona in the Precise Air Handicap (1400m).

“Got to keep going, I guess,” Schofield said.

“I only picked him up this morning with Zac (Lloyd) being ill, but he did really well.

“It was a big step up from country grade, but he was well placed today by Annabel. He gave me a nice feel. Good win.”

Schofield then linked with Joe Pride to claim the Ole Kirk @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1000m) on Bruce I Am, who came from back in the field to overhaul stablemate Confidentiality by a short neck, before the jockey took his haul to three aboard the Peter Snowden-trained Amreekiyah in the Schweppes Handicap (1400m).

Snowden was happy to have the in-form hoop in the saddle, and hoped Amreekiyah could continue to progress as he eyed a possible trip to Melbourne .

“It’s the time to put them on when they’re hot, and he’s hot at the moment,” Snowden said of Schofield.

“She’s a mare we’ve always thought, when she’s four and five, would come into her own. She was battered with wet tracks, and bad draws and unlucky races.

“Hopefully this preparation she’s a much bigger, stronger version of herself and we have a bit of luck with her, and pick up a decent race.

“There’s a race in Melbourne at the end of the carnival, but we’ll see how she pulls up from today.”

Schofield is headed to Melbourne a little sooner with confirmation this week that Ceolwulf will back up in Saturday’s Cox Plate (2040m) at Flemington following his resolute second to Autumn Glow in the King Charles III Stakes (1600m).

Schofield has been the gelding’s regular rider for the past couple of seasons, and will be chasing his second win in Australia’s premier weight-for-age contest, which he won as an apprentice aboard Shamus Award in 2013.

Pride reported Ceolwulf had bounced out of Saturday’s run and would travel to Melbourne on Thursday.

“I’m excited. I couldn’t be happier with him, and with that rain to arrive on Saturday, it will suit him,” Pride said.