Neither of Chad Schofield’s Group 1 rides in Brisbane this Saturday are at the pointy end of the market, but that won’t prevent him from heading to Eagle Farm with a pep in his step, reports Racing Victoria.

The young gun’s two feature rides  – Emblems in the Stradbroke and Sonntag in the Queensland Derby – both fit a profile that he has developed in Group 1 races this season.

Schofield will be riding the pair for the first time. His three Group 1 wins – the Cox Plate on Shamus Award, Newmarket Handicap on Lankan Rupee and Champagne Stakes on Go Indy Go – all came aboard horses he had not previously ridden.

Last season’s champion Victorian apprentice is not sure what makes him click with horses at his first ride, but said he always prepares thoroughly and would love for the trend to continue so he can add a Sunshine State Group 1 to his CV.

“I like to watch all their replays and do all the form,” Schofield, 20, said. “Obviously you have to go into Group 1s confident and optimistic and that’s what I try and do.

“I’ve been lucky that the horses I’ve won Group 1s on, Shamus Award, Lankan Rupee and Go Indy Go, they’ve all been too good on the day and that’s what counts.

“Group 1s are the pinnacle and if I can pinch one more in Queensland it would be great. This season I’ve won three, two in Melbourne and one in Sydney, so if I can get one in Queensland it would top off a fantastic season.”

Schofield will have fellow Victorian rider Michael Rodd to thank if Sonntag, a $13 chance with TAB, lands the $500,000 Queensland Derby (2400m) for fledgling Caulfield horseman Henry Dwyer.

Rodd partnered Sonntag to the Caulfield victory that confirmed his trip north, but elected to ride local hope Amexed, on whom he won the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m), in Saturday’s race.

“I trialled him prior to the prep in a jumpout at Sandown and I suggested to connections that he was in for a good prep,” Schofield said.

Maybe because I trialled him was why they came back to me after Michael Rodd chose the other horse.

“I knew he’d be in for a good prep after that trial, I knew he’d win his fair share of races , but I wouldn’t have said he’d be a live contender in the Queensland Derby.

“But that goes to show how much the horse has improved race to race and as long as he’s kept improving he’s a chance. It’s an open Derby in my opinion, so he shouldn’t be too far away.”

Sonntag, a son of Teofilo, drew barrier seven in the capacity field of 18 but will come into five if the two emergencies don’t gain a start.

The John O’Shea-trained Emblems has also drawn well, to start from six if the emergencies don’t gain a start, which Schofield said was a big help given the Shamardal entire’s versatility.

“He’s a horse with good tactical gate speed and they always go really quick in the Stradbroke so if we can possy up just behind the speed that would be ideal.”

Emblems is at $26 in TAB’s market, which is headed by Hucklebuck and Victorian filly Srikandi at $5.

Schofield’s other ride at Eagle Farm is Tales Of Fashion, a Tale of the Cat two-year-old filly, who goes around in the $100,000 Listed Hampden Stakes (1200m) that kicks offthe nine-event card at 11.30am.

The day’s other juvenile event is the meeting’s other Group 1 with the Mick Price-trained Pressing to fly the Victorian flag in the $500,000 J.J. Atkins Stakes (1600m).