Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby has locked in UK jockeys James Doyle and William Buick to ride his Melbourne Cup runners Cross Counter and Ispolini.
James Doyle has been booked for his first Melbourne Cup ride on last year's winner Cross Counter, replacing Kerrin McEvoy, while Buick will be aboard last start German St Leger winner Ispolini.
uick has ridden Cross Counter in six of his 12 career starts for two wins while Doyle has had two rides on the stayer since his Melbourne Cup win with his best result a third in the Goodwood Cup in July.
Ironically Doyle won the German St Leger on Ispolini at Dortmund on September 15 on the same day Buick rode Cross Counter in the Irish St Leger at Curragh, finishing fourth.
Appleby explained that Doyle and Buick are his stable jockeys in the UK and weights dictate they ride his horses in the Melbourne Cup.
William Buick Photo by Pat Healy Photography
"James will go out to Australia a week before the Cup while William will arrive the day before the race, coming from America," Appleby explained.
"Cross Counter carried 51kg last year and Kerrin, who has ridden for Godolphin over many years, was a logical choice and did a great job for us."
Buick will fly in from the Breeders' Cup meeting at Santa Anita in California and arrive 24 hours before the Melbourne Cup.
CROSS COUNTER winning the Lexus Melbourne Cup Photo by Racing and Sports
Michael Walker took the ride on Finche in last Saturday's Caulfield Cup due to McEvoy's commitment to Redzel in The Everest at Randwick.
Appleby, who also won't arrive in Melbourne until next week, told McGrath he had been receiving good reports about his two runners.
"They worked independently at Werribee on Saturday and the plan is for them to work together in a stronger gallop next weekend," Appleby said.
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