Winner Commanding Time, with Brad Rawiller aboard, certainly lived up to his name with a tidy win yesterday. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun
ALTHOUGH Chad Schofield won the Sydney apprentices' title last season with 39 winners - and yesterday at Moonee Valley rode just his third city winner since joining the David Hayes stable three months ago - he believes his future is here.
Yesterday at Moonee Valley, Schofield won the opening race the Sportingbet Handicap (1000m, 3YO) on Isabella Snowflake.
Schofield recently completed a three month-trial period and when Hayes inquired whether he wanted to stay he had little hesitation in accepting the invitation.
"I really like it here and it's such a great stable to be with. That's why I'm staying," Schofield said.
"David's got a lot of nice horses coming through and the stable is ready to get going and firing."
Schofield, 18, was in demand with eight rides. He rode one winner, one second, one third and two fourths.
"I hope to make use of my two-kilo claim over the summer months," he said.
Schofield's skills were on display in the opening race when he led all the way on Isabella Snowflake.
"I was told to make use of her inside gate. I knew Ciaron Maher's horse had big wraps on him and when he was on the outside of me I wanted to take the race up to him as he was first-up and we had race fitness on our side," he said.
Schofield was impressed by Isabella Snowflake's ability, describing her as the ultimate professional.
"She flew out of the gates, she travelled well and then she was able to come off the turn and sprint away from them. She has a very bright future."
Mick Price stable spokesman Luke Wilkinson said Isabella Snowflake was suited by a return to 1000m after she had finished third at her previous run at Flemington over 1200m.
Isabella Snowflake has now had four starts for three wins all over 1000m and a third over 1200m.
Isabella Snowflake ($2.90) beat Genteel ($3.90) by two-and-a-quarter lengths, with Monogamy ($7) a half-length away third.
It was trainer Brendan McCarthy's plan for Commanding Time to be in the spelling paddock rather than racing at Moonee Valley yesterday, but luckily for connections the gelding had other ideas.
"He was sent for a spell but he was bucking and kicking and carrying on that Brendan thought he'd be happier back in work," said part-owner Mason North after the gelding broke through for a well-deserved win when successful in the Programmed Property Services Handicap (2040m).
Commanding Time's racing campaign began back in June and he has stayed in work since having 11 starts for four wins, four seconds (at his previous four starts) and three thirds.
His jockey Brad Rawiller described the gelding's performance to stay up for so long as incredible.
Commanding Time ($7) outgunned I Feel Good ($11) by two lengths, with Shihabi ($5.50) a nose away third.
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