Champion apprentice to Group One-winning rider.

That's the transition Chad Schofield is determined to make this spring and he could do it as early as Saturday when he rides Happy Trails in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.

Schofield was thrilled to pick up the ride on last year's Emirates Stakes winner for the Memsie and rates the gelding a realistic chance of helping him to a maiden Group One win.

The 19-year-old claimed last season's Melbourne apprentices' premiership a year after winning the Sydney equivalent.

He has now set his sights on proving himself on the big stage.

"Obviously I've won the two apprentice premierships and now without the claim I need to prove that I can match it on level weights," Schofield said.

"And there's no better way to prove that than win a big feature race.

"It's definitely my main goal for the time being."

Schofield's best result in a Group One has been a third in last year's Epsom Handicap aboard Rolling Pin.

Happy Trails has scored at the top level in the Emirates Stakes, and he finished second in the Memsie last year when it was a Group Two race.

"It's shaping up to be a pretty hot race with Atlantic Jewel, It's A Dundeel, Super Cool and what not," Schofield said.

"It's probably going to be a mini Cox Plate with all the horses in there. It's going to be a terrific race and he's a terrific chance too."

There were 18 entries taken on Monday for the Memsie (1400m) which is being run at Group One level for the first time.

Last year's winner Sincero was among the nominations along with New Zealanders King Mufhasa and Silent Achiever.

Happy Trails ventures to the opening Group One of the season on the back of a first-up fifth on a slow track in the Spring Stakes in Adelaide, a race Schofield has studied closely.

"He was very unlucky," he said.

"He lost all his momentum on two occasions, and for him to still pick up and finish off like he did, I thought was very good.

"He's going to come in on Saturday the fit horse where as the others are first-up. So it will be an interesting race, that's for sure."