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Live sport on SN this weekendCeolwulf vs Via Sistina: Why Pride wants to take on Via
Connor Scanlon • November 9th, 2025 2:06 pm
Could we see Ceolwulf versus Via Sistina in the Autumn Carnival?
Off the back of Ceolwulf’s Champions Mile victory, where he defeated an elite field including Mr Brightside, Pride Of Jenni and Treasurethe Moment, the five-year-old’s trainer Joe Pride has admitted that he would love to face Via Sistina at the mile.
And why is that?
Because Pride believes his horse is probably the best mile runner in Australia.
“I think (that Ceolwulf is the best mile runner),” Pride told RSN’s Correct Weight.
“I’d be more than happy to take Via Sistina on at a mile.
“She’s a great mare but she’s more of a 2000m horse.
“We can’t forget Autumn Glow who is still on the way up, but she’s still probably got to prove herself though at weight-for-age before we know that she’s an absolute top liner.
“She is a very, very promising mare and there might be a clash in the Autumn for those two horses.”
Ceolwulf’s run on Saturday was actually his first run outside of Sydney in his 25-start career.
While some pundits questioned the gelding’s racing ability outside of his home state, Ceolwulf stepped up to the plate, silencing any doubters.
Pride was thrilled with how Ceolwulf performed in his first interstate run, as it opens up more opportunities for his star.
“The traveling away really pleased me that he handled that,” Pride said.
“Because I’ve had a few horses over the years that haven’t been able to travel well, and it really limits their careers going forward.
“For him to do that on his first interstate trip, I’m really pleased.
“Chad (Schofield) thinks the win was dominant and if he had done things right, he would’ve won by a fair margin.
“He’s an amazing horse – four Group 1’s in a 12-month period – only the elite horses can do that.”
When asked if Ceolwulf travel to Flemington next year for the 2026 Cox Plate, Pride revealed that target will be difficult considering the Sydney Group 1 King Charles Stakes is the week before.
“It’s going to be difficult because we have the King Charles and unless those dates are going to change next year, the King Charles being the week before is the fly in the ointment for me,” Pride admitted.
“But the autumn is going to basically decide whether we target the Cox Plate.”
