Buick to ride Scottish in Emirates Stakes

Godolphin’s retained European jockey William Buick will fly to Melbourne to ride Caulfield Cup runner-up Scottish in the $2 million Emirates Stakes at Flemington.

Kerrin McEvoy partnered Scottish in his first Australian start when the horse finished second in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) and has also ridden the Charlie Appleby-trained Qewy, Oceanographer and Francis Of Assisi to wins in Victoria in the past couple of weeks.

The Godolphin team considered running Scottish in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup but decided the 2000m-weight-for-age race five days later was a better option.

Owner Sheikh Mohammed will have five runners in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup with the John O’Shea-trained Hartnell favourite for the 3200m race ahead of the Appleby-trained Lexus Stakes winner Oceanographer.

Appleby also has Geelong Cup winner Qewy in the Cup while fellow Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor has Secret Number and Beautiful Romance.

Appleby said Scottish had come through his Caulfield Cup run on October 15 in good order.

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“He heads for the Emirates Stakes now and William Buick is coming over to ride him,” Appleby said.

“I’m pleased for William and the horse has come out of the Caulfield Cup in very good order.

“Obviously we’ve been very lucky to have James McDonald and Kerrin riding on the crest of his wave at the moment, but William knows the horse very well and it’s a great opportunity for him to come over.”

Appleby said Scottish worked well at Werribee on Saturday and had an easy day on Sunday.

“I think coming back in trip will suit him,” he said.

“It’s his run style to be potentially on the front end and dropping back to the mile and a quarter, I think he ticks all the boxes there.”