Chad Schofield achieved the aim of every apprentice jockey today when he partnered promising filly Brand New Choice to victory in the $35,000 Essendon Hyundai i20 Handicap (1000m) at Moonee Valley...
Chad Schofield achieved the aim of every apprentice jockey today when he partnered promising filly Brand New Choice to victory in the $35,000 Essendon Hyundai i20 Handicap (1000m) at Moonee Valley, reports Racing Victoria.
It was the 19-year-old’s 80th metropolitan winner, thus relieving him of his 1.5kg claim.
Schofield, the son of star Sydney jockey Glyn, said it had always been an ambition to outride his claim and was thrilled to do it aboard a horse trained by the man who has been his master since relocating from Sydney midway through last year.
“It makes it even better doing it on one of David Hayes’ horses,” Schofield said.
“It means a lot to me. I’ve only been riding two-and-a-half years, so I’ve outridden my claim pretty quickly, a lot quicker than I thought I would, and all of that’s due to the fantastic support I’ve received form top trainers.”
Schofield made it 35 Victorian city winners for the season when he got Brand New Choice through a tight gap in the home straight.
Despite being on debut, the daughter of Redoute’s Choice, who started at $8.50, charged through the gap at the 100m and pulled away for a one-length win in what appeared a strong midweek juvenile event.
Magnaro ($21), who was having first run since finishing eighth in the colts and gelding Blue Diamond Preview on 26 January, was second with $2.70 favourite Mystical Miss, a daughter of former star filly Magical Miss, half a length away third at her first run since her seventh in the fillies’ Blue Diamond Preview.
“She always shown a lot, obviously she’s well bred and she came here today pretty educated and ready,” Schofield said.
“She really had to wrestle her way through that tight gap, she got bumped around, pin-balled from either side, but she still went straight through like she was shot out of a gun. She’s a nice filly.”
Schofield is now 13 wins clear of Damien Thornton in the race for the Victorian Metropolitan Apprentices’ Premiership.
If he wins, the reigning Sydney Metropolitan Apprentice Premiership titleholder will become the first apprentice to win metro titles in both Melbourne and Sydney.