Glyn Schofield will return from Singapore to continue his winning association with Boban in the Group 1 $1m George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Glyn Schofield is coming back from Singapore to ride Boban, above, in the George Ryder Stakes. Photo by Steve Hart.
Schofield flew to Singapore last Friday with fellow rider Tommy Berry to be at the bedside of Berry’s twin brother Nathan who was rushed to hospital with what was initially thought to be viral encephalitis.
But overnight Berry’s condition worsened with the family releasing the following statement – “Nathan has been diagnosed with Norse Syndrome and has now been placed into an induced coma. Doctors do not expect much change over the next few days as they run further tests.
“The families have expressed their gratitude for all the well wishes and would appreciate your continued prayers. They have also requested privacy at this difficult time. However, further information will be released if there is a change in Nathan’s condition.”
Nathan Berry recently married Schofield’s daughter Whitney, started a riding contract with the Singapore Turf Club and was just getting established when he collapsed at trackwork at Kranji racetrack last Tuesday morning.
Schofield has three early rides while Tommy Berry has been booked to ride for Gai Waterhouse in all of the nine races.
Early in the week it was unclear if Schofield and Tommy Berry would be returning to ride this weekend after both missed the Coolmore Classic – Ranvet Stakes meeting at Rosehill last Saturday.
But leading trainer Chris Waller stated earlier in the week that he would leave the ride on Boban open for as long as possible to give Schofield every chance to ride the four year old.
“Boban is definitely Glyn’s ride and if I have to keep it open until the last minute I will,” Waller told AAP.
Schofield has an impeccable record on Boban with the pair combining for a perfect six wins from six outings together, including three at Group 1 level.
Boban went through the Spring undefeated with five wins from five starts and included wins in the Group 1 $500,000 The Star Epsom (1600m) at Randwick and the Group 1 $1m Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
But with Schofield on the sidelines through suspension, Boban returned for the Autumn with two unplaced runs with Nash Rawiller, a fifth in the Group 2 $200,000 SCSI Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on February 8 and a fourth in the Group 2 $250,000 Schweppes Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on February 22.
The return of Schofield to the saddle saw the old Boban back on the racetrack with a win over It’s A Dundeel in the Group 1 $500,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm on March 8.
Schofield’s other early rides at Rosehill are the Lee Curtis trained filly Press Report in the Group 2 $175,000 IRT Magic Night Stakes (1200m) and three year old Atlante for Kiwi trainer Murray Baker in the Group 1 $500,000 TAB.com.au Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
While Tommy Berry’s three Group 1 rides for Waterhouse are Whittington in the $400,000 Bloodstock.com.au Galaxy (1100m), Tres Blue in the George Ryder Stakes and Order Of The Sun in the Rosehill Guineas.
His other Waterhouse rides are The Offer in the Group 3 Ambassador Travel N E Manion Cup (2400m), Mr Cha Cha in the Group 2 $175,000 Bowermans Office Furniture Pago Pago Stakes (1200m), Shahad in the Group 3 $150,000 Hyland Race Colours Birthday Card Stakes (1200m), Ming in the Magic Night Stakes , Cosmic Endeavour in the Listed $125,000 Randwick Equine Centre Darby Munro Stakes (1200m) and Porcellanus in the Group 3 $150,000 Percy Sykes Tribute Stakes (1900m).
