Putting in the extra yards for Chris Waller at trackwork has not only given Glyn Schofield a good insight into the premier trainer’s horses, it has also led to him securing the mount on Reloaded in The Gong.
Schofield headed out to Rosehill last week to put a few of Waller’s horses through their paces and was taken with Reloaded’s gallop.
He immediately threw his hat in the ring to ride him in Saturday’s $1 million mile and was rewarded with the mount.
“Trackwork is always a nice thing to do because you get to ride his horses and get the opportunity to fill in in the morning, and I put my hand up for the ride,” Schofield said.
“A little bit of work doesn’t do anybody any harm.
“I’ve ridden him a couple of times in work and he really feels like he’s on song. He feels like he’s in a good place.”
Reloaded’s only win came at his debut in 2019 but he has consistently competed at a high level.
Group One placed in the J J Atkins at two and again when third to Castelvecchio in the Rosehill Guineas at three, he kicked off his four-year-old season with a close third behind Dreamforce and Kolding in the Tramway Stakes.
He was fifth in the Bill Ritchie, a race dominated by the on-speed horses, before a minor setback ruled him out of the Epsom Handicap.
Waller freshened him up for the Golden Eagle but Reloaded struck a bog track and finished among the tailenders.
Schofield has no doubt the horse is going well enough to rebound on a firm surface, which he should get at Kembla.
“He is a multiple placegetter in Group races and he’s down in the handicaps so he’s got a lot to like about him,” he said.
“You look at his form and the races he has contested and run really well in, he’s run well in a Randwick Guineas, a Carbine Club, a Tramway.
“He has really been right up to the top types and under handicap terms on Saturday, I think he’s right in it, especially if the track stays dry.”
Schofield is yet to discuss tactics with the stable but Reloaded is versatile and from barrier seven, he is drawn to get a cosy run.
Reloaded was a $34 chance with TAB fixed odds on Friday as Purple Sector and Dawn Passage continued to jostle for favouritism in an open betting race.