Chad Schofield with Melbourne Cup chance

His father played a starring role in the main event on Victoria Derby day and Chad Schofield is out to do likewise in the Melbourne Cup.

A few days after Glyn Schofield rode Prized Icon to victory in the $1.5 million Victoria Derby on Saturday, 22-year-old Chad will be legged aboard Lexus Stakes winner Oceanographer in Tuesday’s $6 million Melbourne Cup at Flemington.

Schofield was confirmed as the rider of the Charlie Appleby-trained Oceanographer last Friday, provided the horse made the field.

His barnstorming victory with Kerrin McEvoy aboard in Saturday’s Lexus Stakes, a race in which Schofield was on rival De Little Engine, confirmed his place.

“He was very impressive,” Schofield said.

“He only got out at the top of the straight but he hit the line very well. He came past me pretty quickly and I really like the way he surged the last bit.

“He’s got a light weight (52kg) in the Cup, he’s fit and well and in winning form.

“He’s a winning chance.”

McEvoy, who rode Oceanographer’s stablemate Qewy to win the Geel;ong Cup, was unavailable for either of the Godolphin pair in the Cup as he already had a commitment to the Robert Hickmott-trained Almandin for owner Lloyd Williams.

Schofield is now based in Hong Kong and is flying back and forth during a busy period to fulfil commitments in Hong Kong and also ride during the Melbourne Cup carnival.

The former champion apprentice is no stranger to big race success in Melbourne, where he was formerly based, having won the $3 million Cox Plate on Shamus Award in 2013 while still an apprentice.

Schofield has ridden in the past three Melbourne Cups, finishing 23rd and 21st respectively on outsiders Ruscello and Mr O’Ceirin before his sixth placing on Gust Of Wind last year.