Buick has his plate full with five rides on World Cup night

Dubai - 29-year-old jockey talks about his mounts ahead of the big day

William Buick's dream came true when he wrote his name in the highest echelons of horse racing by winning the Dubai World Cup on Saeed bin Suroor's Prince Bishop in 2015.

But the seeds for that were laid five years before when the Godolphin jockey partnered trainer John Gosden for his first top ride, a move that translated into his first Group 1 success.

Buick led filly Dar Re Mi, the daughter of Singspiel, to victory in the Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup night.

The 29-year-old doesn't have a ride in this year's Dubai World Cup race with Mickael Barzalona onboard Talismanic and Christophe Soumillon riding Thunder Snow.

But Buick does have his plate full at the Meydan Racecourse on Saturday with five rides. Here, he talks about his mounts.


Race 3, Dubai Gold Cup: Rare Rhythm:

He is a lovely horse, very talented horse and it is nice to get him back on track. Obviously, he won the Nad Al Sheba very well, beat Vazirabad. But Vazirabad is going for his third consecutive win in the Gold Cup and he's going to be a huge danger on Saturday. But, our horse gets into rhythm and gets that all important kick at the end.


Race 4, UAE Derby: Gold Town:

He has really adapted well to the dirt but he has had some good form on the turf, as a two-year-old in the UK. He beat Headway at Newbury and he beat him well. After that day, we knew he was a nice horse and beautifully bred, and he was always a nice individual. And obviously, he trained very well on the dirt here in Dubai before he ran at Meydan. And, he kind of set the Carnival alive with his performances and he's been very exciting to deal with and he's got a huge local following."


Race 5, Al Quoz Sprint: Blue Point:

"He had a lovely prep run behind Ertijaal in the five furlong after a bit of a lay-off and he really came forward for that run. He's training very well which suggests that he's peaking at the right time. Obviously, the draw has come out and can't really see a problem with the draw. As far as we are concerned, six furlongs on fast ground, that's his game. It has been said in the past he's a Group 1 winner in the making and let's hope that would be right."


Race 7, Dubai Turf: Blair House:

"It is not easy. There are a lot of runners and he's widest of all. The only thing with him is, as you saw in the Jebel Hatta, he comes from behind, he likes running through horses. So, with him, you will rely on a decent pace throughout and the pace to collapse in the straight. When he runs past horses, he gets more confidence. He's the ace in the card. He's a horse that we are not really sure how good he is yet. Of course, he looked good in the Jebel Hatta. So, it will be very interesting to see."


Race 8, Dubai Sheema Classic: Hawkbill:

"He's very tough. You know he's a real grinder and that was a very pleasing performance from him. He was always going to come on for the race in the city of gold. He goes there on Saturday in great form. It is a tough race, of course, but he likes the track, likes the ground, he stays the trip very well. If he gets a smooth run through, like any other horse on the night, but he gets a smooth run through and stays relaxed, I think he could be dangerous."

james@khaleejtimes.com