Godolphin will fly in England’s champion jockey William Buick to ride Pericles in the Victoria Derby and a number of the stable’s top-line chances at Flemington on Saturday.
Godolphin’s retained rider was coming to ride Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Without A Fight in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup, but with the Australian jockeys ranks split between the Golden Eagle meeting in Sydney and the start of the Melbourne Cup carnival, James Cummings was able to secure him for Derby day.
Godolphin’s retained jockey William Buick will ride Pericles in the Victoria Derby.Credit:PA
“It is the great part of being part of the team at Godolphin that we can call on a rider of the quality of William to come for one of the biggest days of Australian racing,” Cummings told Nine.
“When we saw the situation, we contacted William and [Godolphin’s Newmarket trainer] Charlie Appleby and they were happy for him to come and ride in Melbourne and to try and win another Derby for Godolphin.
“It was a case of what is best for the team. They wanted to see William out here trying to win a group 1.
“He will ride Pericles and the majority of our horses at Flemington. James McDonald retains the ride on In Secret in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
“William has had a tremendous season in Europe and to have his skill on Pericles lifts our confidence after his brave run [for third] in the Vase at The Valley on Saturday.”
Buick will give Alegron his final Melbourne Cup tune-up in the Lexus Stakes, and will also take rides on last-start winners Gravina and Sandpaper.
