Dubai: Jockey William Buick is convinced that he has made the right decision to ride Romsdal in Saturday’s St. Leger and contends that the John Gosden-trained colt represents his best chance of winning the Classic for a third time.
Norweigan-born Buick, who is retained by Gosden, passed over Listed race winner Forever Now in preference to the son of Halling who was third behind Australia in the Epsom Derby (G1) in June.
He told his At The Races blog: “I’ll always have a soft spot for the Ladbrokes St Leger because it was the race in which I rode my first British Group One — and Classic — with Arctic Cosmos back in 2010.
“I won it again in 2011 with Masked Marvel and after shuffling the cards for 2014, I’ve decided that if I’m going to get a third on Saturday then it’s going to be with Romsdal.
“On the face of it the decision might have looked easy with Forever Now rated 106 and Romsdal 9lb higher, but the fact is that I’ve only ridden Romsdal once in his five starts this season whereas I’ve been with Forever Now on all five outings, winning twice,” he added.
“He’s got plenty of courage and stays very well, but in the end I just gave the nod to Romsdal on having the better overall level of form and that when I did ride him we were only beaten a nose by Orchestra in the Chester Vase over 12 (furlongs), staying on strongly.
“I’ve made my decision - I think it’s the right one so here’s hoping.”
Romsdal is owned by Romsdal is owned by Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Princess Haya also holds a second entry in Marzocco, who is also trained by Gosden.
Fifteen horses, headed by Kingston Hill and Snow Sky, stood their ground at the five-day entry stage.
British bookmakers Ladbrokes have reported strong support for the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Snow Sky with spokesman David Willams saying: “Although Kingston Hill heads the betting for the Ladbrokes St Leger, it is the Sir Michael Stoute-trained pair of Snow Sky and King’s Fete that are attracting all the interest in the build-up to the race.
“King’s Fete is proving to be particularly interesting and it’s not inconceivable that we see the current favourite drift if the ground continues to dry out on Town Moor.
“The entire shape of the race seems to hinge on the participation of Kingston Hill.
“The 14mm of rain over the weekend would seem to be a big boost for his followers with more watering expected this week.”
Meanwhile, Joe Fanning has also confirmed he has chosen to partner Hartnell over the other Mark Johnston-trained runners Alex My Boy and Somewhat.
Hartnell will race in the colours of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.
Alex My Boy will now be ridden by Godolphin pilot Silvestre De Sousa while Franny Norton will be reunited with Somewhat, whom he rode to finish third behind Mukhadram in this season’s Coral-Eclipse Stakes.
