Schiller was aboard for Monday’s 1045m trial at Randwick when West Of Swindon travelled four wide and hit the line strongly for second.

“We didn’t want to give him too much of a hit-out and they went a bit steady,” he said. “He got forced wide, but I held on to him up the straight until probably the 100 and then just asked for a bit of an effort, and I thought he responded quickly. He’s moving well and doing everything right.”

West Of Swindon was a $3.50 favourite for the Pago Pago, ahead of Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou’s Skyhook ($4.20).

Schiller is also aboard debutante Polish Playgirl ($46) for the Hawkes team in the fillies qualifier, the group 3 Magic Night Stakes. She was fourth, finishing well, in a 900m trial at Rosehill last week but has to contend with barrier 13 on Saturday.

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“She’s a big, strong filly,” he said. “I don’t know if she’s a 1200-metre specialist, but first-up she’ll be fresh enough for it. The draw is a bit of an issue, but I really like her. She’s got a bit of quality about her.”

He rides Chris Waller-trained Firestorm ($13), a last-start winner of the Millie Fox Stakes, in the group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) from the outside gate.

“She’ll be getting back and doing her best work late,” he said. “She’s gets in at a lightweight, which is why I probably I’ve been booked, but she’s not without hope. I thought her first-up run was really sharp.”

He also has chances in the Phar Lap Stakes with More Territories ($10) and West Of Africa ($12) in the Ajax Stakes.

“She’s got a really good turn of foot and I think she can settle a little closer tomorrow,” he said of More Territories.

“I really like West Of Africa. I thought he had a pretty tough run on the Gold Coast, then a long break between runs, so he might have gone into it a bit soft [when sixth last start].

“Hopefully he can bounce back over 1500. I think they are trying to get him into a Doncaster.”

Apprentice leaves busy day in Queensland for first group 1 ride at Rosehill

After missing out on potential group 1 chances over last year’s winter carnival because of suspension, apprentice Bailey Wheeler is more than happy to miss a packed day of racing in Queensland to ride in his first top-level race at Rosehill on Saturday.

The 20-year-old, based at Eagle Farm with Rob Heathcote, has the job aboard the Richard and Will Freedman-trained Elettrica ($35 Sportsbet) at 51 kilograms in the $1 million Coolmore Classic after riding her to a last-start win in the Sunshine Coast Cup. He has also picked up two other rides, including on Von Hauke in the group 2 Ajax Stakes for Melbourne trainer Cliff Brown.

In chasing a first group 1, Wheeler will miss city meetings at Eagle Farm and Gold Coast, which have been rescheduled across Saturday to avoid major overlaps, following the loss of racing to ex-tropical cyclone Alfred the previous week.

Wheeler, though, had no regrets. Originally from Grafton and a former apprentice to top Newcastle trainer Kris Lees, Wheeler is focused on making the most of major chances after a chequered start to his career. He was suspended twice then sacked by trainer Annabel Neasham last year for indiscretions, then copped a four-week ban for lying to stewards during inquiries over a positive breathalyser test before riding at Ipswich.

“When the carnival was on up here, I was suspended so I missed out and never really had the chance up here,” Wheeler said.

“This will be my first group 1, and it’s good to do it in Sydney. I had a stint in Sydney over the carnival a couple of seasons ago. I’ve always wanted to ride down there, but it’s just hard to get opportunities on the big days.

“I’ve had my ups and downs, but I feel like I’m slowly getting better. My riding is going well. I’ve had a pretty good season, so hopefully I can just keep going forward and on Saturday, I feel like if I can just ride them well, bigger opportunities can open up. It will be a good experience.”