William Buick has been booked to ride Gatewood in the 2014 Melbourne Cup and he believes that the talented stayer has the right form to take out the Group 1 event at Flemington next Tuesday.
Jockey William Buick is delighted with the form of Gatewood heading into the 2014 Melbourne Cup. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Buick made his debut in the Melbourne Cup when he steered Godolphin stayer Lost In The Moment to a credible sixth behind Dunaden in the 2011 edition of the Melbourne Cup and the leading British-based hoop told Sky Racing HQ that he is thrilled to have another opportunity to compete in the $6 million event.
“I am very much looking forward to it,” Buick said.
“It was a great experience when I came over in 2011 to ride Lost In The Moment in the Melbourne Cup and I am very much looking forward to it again.
“I think I have a horse that has the right credentials to run a big race.
“He should stay well, but at the same time he has the tactical speed early in the race, which would enable us to get a good position all being well with the draw and everything.”
Buick has been one of the regular riders of Gatewood throughout his racing career and the leading jockey has been thrilled with the form of the Galileo entire during the 2014 Northern Hemisphere racing season.
Gatewood is yet to miss the placings during his six race starts this year and he is confident that the seven-year-old could not be in better form heading into the Melbourne Cup and is primed to run out a strong 3200 metres at Flemington next Tuesday.
“He has had a good year,” Buick said.
“He has not been out of the first two this year and he has performed each time that he has ran to a very high standard.
“Last time it was a Group 2 at Deauville and the ground was a bit too soft for him, but he only got beaten a neck or so, so it was a very good run.
“The time before that he won a Group 3 at Deauville and before that he won a couple of Listed races in the UK.
“He has been around a little bit, but he has had a very good year, he has been freshened up and the reports are very good from Australia that the horse is doing well.
“He couldn’t be in much better shape coming up to the race.
“He gets a mile and a half well and I can see no reason why he wouldn’t get the trip in Melbourne.”
Gatewood is currently available at 2014 Melbourne Cup odds of $51, while Admire Rakti ($4.80) remains a clear favourite from Protectionist ($7), Lucia Valentina ($7.50) and Fawkner ($8.50).
