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Jockey Chad Schofield may have been third in line for the ride on the Tim Fitzsimmons-trained Golden Monkey in the $150,000 Group 2 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) this Sunday, but the Sydney-based gun is by no means a bench player.
While Golden Monkey's last-start partner and jockey Mark Zahra currently on a European vacation with his family, connections intended to invite Australian top jockey Hugh Bowman for the ride, but as the now Hong Kong-based rider had riding commitments in Sha Tin this weekend, connections sought elsewhere for help, with Schofield on top of the list.
The well-travelled 29-year-old was more than happy to take the ride on the four-year-old son of Star Turn. Apart from being a live chance in the second Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge, this visit will also give the 2013 Cox Plate-winning hoop the chance to add Singapore to the list of countries he has plied his trade.
While the South African-born British national now rides in Australia primarily, he also had a long and successful stint in Hong Kong from 2014 to 2020, other than riding stints in Japan, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
For most of his early life, Schofield followed his father and ex-jockey Glyn – who won the now-defunct Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m) on Gitano Hernando in 2011 - around the world, so the "have saddle will travel" mantra is infused in his DNA.
"I love travelling to ride," said Schofield from his home in Sydney.
"We used to travel a lot with dad when we were living in South Africa and he was riding around the world. I even lived in Hong Kong for a few years with dad as a youngster, so I always jump at the chance to do the same (ride overseas) myself.
"I rode in Hong Kong for many years. I was invited to ride there on a three-month contract when I was only 20 – just out of my apprenticeship. I extended – and extended again - and ended up staying for seven years.
"I love Asia, so to get the chance to ride in Singapore is a great opportunity for me and it's even better to be on a good horse with a serious winning chance."
The good horse in question – Golden Monkey – ran second to Super Salute in the first Leg of the 4YO Challenge, the Silver Bowl (1400m) and Schofield thought that he can turn the tables.
"I've watched all the replays and spoken to those that know him best," he explained.
"It's not going to be a big field (ten runners) and he puts himself into races, so we should get a good run.
"I would have liked a more comfortable draw (in barrier nine) but Super Salute has also drawn out (in barrier eight) and there looks to be more early speed in this race.
"They have taken the blinkers off as he steps up in distance and I see no reason why he won't be in the finish again."
Schofield respects all the opposition he will face on Sunday, but he knew the horse to beat is Super Salute.
"He (Super Salute) is obviously the horse we have to beat," said the father of an 18-month-old son, Archer.
"My horse finished second to him in his last two starts (Silver Bowl and the Group 2 EW Barker Trophy over 1400m on April 23), so we have to find that something extra to beat him.
"But this race is over a mile and a different field from his last two runs. By all accounts, my horse worked super the other day, so no reason not to think we are right in this."
Schofield – who will ride in Sydney on Saturday afternoon before flying to Singapore later that evening – has two other rides for Fitzsimmons at the 12-card meeting. He will jump on board Trumpy in the $70,000 Speedy Cat 2013 Stakes, a Class 3 race over 1600m and Condor in the $75,000 Mr Malek 2021 Stakes, a Restricted Maiden Division 1 race over 1200m.
"I appreciate Tim giving me another couple of solid rides," he said.
"It will be good to get a look at the track. I wasn't even there when dad won the (Singapore Airlines International) Cup – I watched that on TV, so it would be ideal to get a feel of the Kranji grass track before the feature race."
