Golden afternoon for Chad Schofield at Rosehill races
The newest member of the Schofield clan has proven to be a lucky charm for his father, Sydney jockey Chad, even if he didn’t stick around to see it.
Chad Schofield and his wife Hannah, who already have two-year-old Archer, welcomed baby Cooper just under three months ago with the latter making his first race day appearance at Rosehill on Saturday.
Schofield ensured it was a memorable occasion with a winning double, landing the opening race aboard the John Thompson-trained Emmadella before adding the afternoon’s feature, the Listed McKell Cup (2000m), on Golden Path.
His family was on course to celebrate the first victory, but the second proved a bridge too far.
“They left before my best ride,” Schofield quipped.
Golden Path has now won his past two starts and four of 11 overall, Saturday’s McKell Cup triumph his first at black-type level.
Schofield said a gear change had been the key to getting the best out of the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained gelding, who is now likely to head to next month’s Grafton Cup (2350m).
“Since the blinkers have gone on, he is just a real racehorse now,” Schofield said.
“He’s jumping, he’s putting himself on the pace, he is travelling perfectly and then he’s quickening. Obviously if you have a turn of foot at the end of a staying race, you’re always going to be hard to beat.
“I hit the front far too early, but when I pushed the button, he really put them away and he was too good with the light weight.”
Schofield was headed from Rosehill to the airport to catch an overnight flight to Singapore where he is riding at a feature meeting at Kranji on Sunday.
His mounts include Lightning Strike for Ted Fitzsimmons in the Group 2 Stewards’ Cup (1600m), a race jockey and trainer teamed up to win 12 months ago with Golden Monkey.
“I’ve got six rides tomorrow, the main one in the Stewards’ Cup which is a lead-up to their Derby,” Schofield said.
Singapore racing is in its final months with the sport due to shut down there in October.
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...