Scottish out of G1 Emirates Stakes

Godolphin jockey William Buick has lost his latest chance to chase a maiden Group One win in Australia.

Buick arrived in Melbourne on Thursday with a booking for Scottish in the Emirates Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.

However Scottish has injured his near side fetlock and will miss the 2000m contest.

“He came back from routine exercise OK this morning, but he is unsound on his left fore this afternoon,” trainer Charlie Appleby said on Godolphin.com.

“He may have wrenched his fetlock. We have taken veterinary advice and after discussing the matter with John Ferguson, who is currently in America, we decided he should miss the Emirates.

“It’s a blow, but hopefully after we take him home, and he can have a nice break, he will make a full recovery and return to Melbourne again next year.”

Buick was looking forward to partnering Scottish after the horse finished second to Jameka in last month’s Caulfield Cup with Kerrin McEvoy aboard.

All is not lost for Buick however who will partner Francis Of Assisi for Appleby in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Francis Of Assisi won the Bendigo Cup over 2400m last month.

He will also ride Tessera for Godolphin’s Australian trainer John O’Shea and Jessy Belle for Lindsay Park.

Buick has had five rides at Flemington previously, three of which have come in the Melbourne Cup.

“It’s a beautiful track, very fair,” Buick said.

“It’s a great layout and the ground is always nice.”

The 28 year-old is in his second year as a retained rider with Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin.

With the English turf season drawing to a close on Saturday, Buick heads to Dubai in January where he will ride though until the Dubai World Cup meeting in March.

“Last year I had a couple of trips backwards and forwards (from Dubai) for The Championships in Sydney,” Buick said.

“If I get the call-up again I’ll be there.

“You always want to get the call-up for these races at different places.”