The chance to ride in the Cox Plate has come sooner than expected for apprentice Chad Schofield who partners surprise starter Shamus Award at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

The scratching of favourite Atlantic Jewel on Tuesday paved the way for the Danny O'Brien-trained three-year-old, named as emergency, to start in the weight-for-age championship and for the 19-year-old to ride in a race he's dreamed of winning.

"Obviously I haven't been riding that long and to already have a ride in a Cox Plate as an apprentice, it's pretty exciting," Schofield said.

"It's obviously one of the best races in the world.

"The atmosphere on Cox Plate day is outstanding and I can't wait to be part of it on Saturday."

Shamus Award carries 49.5kg under the weight-for-age scale and Schofield has no troubles making the weight.

A last-start Caulfield Guineas placegetter, Shamus Award is still a maiden after nine starts and was at $26 on late on Tuesday.

But that doesn't worry Schofield.

"Obviously it's been well documented how he's still a maiden but he's probably the most unlucky maiden going around," he said.

"He should have won a couple of races now and he's always well-performed whatever he goes around in.

"He's a very good three-year-old who can mix it with the best. He's got no weight on his back, he's tough and I'm sure he'll go to the races on Saturday ready to run a big race."

Schofield is the son of top Sydney-based jockey Glyn Schofield who has ridden all over the world and posted his most recent Group One success in the Epsom Handicap earlier this month aboard Boban.