Trainer Joe Pride is excited for what lies ahead for Group 1 placed Ceolwulf after the camp decided to make the bull two stones lighter.
The Australian Derby runner-up resumes at Rosehill tomorrow in the Precise Air Handicap, with the stable reporting the 4-year-old has returned to the stables stronger and sharper following his gelding operation.
“It has changed him, and at this stage, without having taken him to the races yet, in a positive way, which is normally the case,” Pride said.
“It generally makes horses better; not too many race worse as geldings.
“He was a horse that lacked a bit of strength, but I thought leaving him a colt for that three-year-old year was the right thing to do by him.
“He’s a stronger version of himself now, and being a Tavistock out of a Shamardal mare, you’d think he would only get better with age.
“This horse has hopefully come back a bit faster; he looks a bit faster; he was very grindy last preparation. I think he’s got a bit more sprint about him now.
“I’d be disappointed if he didn’t run well.”
Pride said there’s no set target as yet, given he feels he could be effective from a mile to 2400m based on what he’s achieved to date, but it remains his lone win was in a maiden at start two.
“He’s entitled to be a better horse this time around, but he needs to be one,” he said.
“I’m really open-minded about him. I’ve seen too many horses come back from prep to prep and change what they are.”
