James Doyle adjusting to Australian racing

English jockey James Doyle admits adjusting to Australian racing will be a challenge as he embarks on a stint as Godolphin’s No. 1 rider.

The 28-year-old has been brought to Australia to replace retained jockey James McDonald who has been sidelined after being charged with having an interest in a bet on Astern when he won his debut in December, 2015.

Doyle has been booked for five rides at Rosehill on Saturday with four of those for Godolphin and the other for trainer Peter Robl aboard Ninth Legion in the Group Three Festival Stakes.

This is Doyle’s fifth trip to Australia, with his most recent visit when he rode Telperion to finish fourth in the Golden Slipper in March.

“This this time I can settle in and really get to know what’s going on, get used to the horses and the racing,” Doyle said.

After arriving in Sydney on Monday, Doyle rode barrier trials at Randwick.

He narrowly missed out on making his first ride during his secondment a winner with Miami Dade overwhelmed late by Kingsguard at Canterbury on Wednesday.

Doyle says he is used to riding in races with true tempo in England.

“Obviously with the nature of the tracks being tight and with five and six furlong races around a bend rather than in a straight line, that’s one of the main differences,” Doyle said.

“So you have that tactical aspect as well as the tempo to contend with.”

Doyle said he would need to adjust to racing more regularly over shorter trips.

“But I wouldn’t regard it as a difficulty, just a different style,” he said.

It is not just competitive racing which has given him stylistic challenges.

Doyle is also getting used to working horses on the clock for trainer John O’Shea.

“John usually puts me behind another one when we work so I can get used to the pace we’re going at,” Doyle said.

“And there’s always the clicker on your helmet to help you count.

“It’s just a matter of adapting, which I can’t see being a problem at all.”

Doyle is set to kick off the day aboard his most fancied mount, two-year-old Trekking in the Schweppes Plate (1100m).