Randwick rain a positive sign for Pride and Ceolwulf's King Charles III Stakes defence

Heavy overnight rain in Sydney has been a welcome development for trainer Joe Pride, who is optimistic that the worsening conditions will favour Ceolwulf's bid for a third consecutive King Charles III Stakes title.

Randwick was inundated with heavy rain on Wednesday, and while forecasts vary, the Bureau of Meteorology predicts a further 12mm of rainfall before the week concludes.

Ceolwulf boasts a strong record on heavy tracks, with two victories and a third place from four attempts, notably winning last year's Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington on a bottomless surface. Therefore, the prospect of similarly testing conditions on Saturday is not a concern for his trainer.

"The more the better," Pride confirmed regarding the anticipated rain. "He's a great wet tracker. After he won the King Charles last year and went to Melbourne, the track he won on there was bottomless and he thrived on it. It has fallen into place beautifully so far. I've got a few days to go, and I don't take them for granted. Every moment before the race there's an opportunity for things not to go to plan, but I'm extremely pleased with the horse and I couldn't have scripted it better, at this stage anyway, with the set of circumstances we're going into the race with."

These circumstances also include the presence of the speedy frontrunner Pride Of Jenni. Initially not expected to run in the King Charles, she was one of only six horses to accept the challenge on Wednesday.

Her inclusion ensures a genuine pace for the $5 million event. While Pride Of Jenni is a formidable opponent herself, Pride hopes her presence will pose a problem for the favoured galloper Autumn Glow.

"She's a very good mare (Pride Of Jenni), and her being there is another very good horse to beat," Pride elaborated. "But it potentially takes Autumn Glow out of her comfort zone a little bit more than what she has been these first couple of runs back. Under the scenario where it's a sit and sprint home, I'm stating the obvious – she (Autumn Glow) is better than us at that. I want to take her to hopefully a place she hasn't been before, and with Pride Of Jenni in the race there's the potential to do that."

Ceolwulf has used the Epsom Handicap (1600m) as a lead-up to the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) for the last two years, a preparation route Pride has maintained.

A potential start in the Cox Plate, scheduled just seven days later, remains a possibility for the future.

The trainer has not ruled out having Ceolwulf compete in the weight-for-age championship, which will be held at Flemington this year, but a final decision will be made after Saturday's race.

"Probably a decision on Sunday morning about whether we take him down for the Cox Plate, and if he doesn't he'll go for the Champions Stakes," Pride stated. Ceolwulf will also sport blinkers in the King Charles II Stakes, a piece of gear not utilized earlier in his current preparation.

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