Glyn Schofield is becoming Chris Waller’s “go-to” man.

Sydney’s premier trainer turned to Schofield when he needed a last-minute replacement for Loophole in the Australian International Horse Racing Federation Handicap (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Tye Angland aggravated a disc in his lower back after riding Canny Rocket in race two and had to forfeit his remaining mounts including Loophole.

Angland’s pain will only be more acute now after Schofield drove Loophole between runs to score a strong win.

Schofield has often helped Waller at short notice. He was called up to ride Kermadec in the Group 1 George Main Stakes at Randwick last spring when regular rider Glen Boss was suspended and duly won the feature weight-for-age race.

Waller also sought Schofield for the ride on Vanbrugh in the Spring Champion Stakes when Hugh Bowman was required in Melbourne for Press Statement in the Caulfield Guineas.

The jockey won another Group 1 for Waller on Vanbrugh while Bowman partnered Press Statement to an easy win.

Schofield joked there was an easy solution for Waller’s dilemma when he needed a jockey: “They should just book me first!”

The champion jockey, fresh from a winning double for Waller at Canterbury on Wednesday, struck again for the trainer with Loophole ($4) finishing too strongly to defeat stablemate Dance Of Heroes ($4.60) by a half-length with Moral Victory ($5) a short-neck away third.

Favourite Emerald City ($3.70) was a close fourth but trainer David Vandyke believes the stayer is not as effective on wet ground.

Schofield said he was worried by the slow early tempo with Loophole back at the rear of the seven-horse field.

“If the pace had been more solid, I’m sure Loophole would have won by further,’’ Schofield said. “But he was always travelling well and he is a fit, in-form horse. When the gap came he wanted to go through and chase them down.’’

Loophole, a six-year-old by Lonhro, is a half-brother to dual Group 1 winner Preferment and, although he may never reach the heights of his sibling, the gelding is racing in career-best form.

Loophole has now scored successive wins at Rosehill and Randwick and Waller said the horse can continue his form surge in coming weeks.

“Loophole is in at the right time of the year,’’ he said. “We might be able to pick off a stakes race early in the autumn carnival and then defer to the Brisbane carnival.’’ –‘Ray Thomas, The Daily Telegraph