The drop back in distance to 2000m in the Group 1 $2m Emirates Stakes at Flemington on Saturday will suit English galloper Scottish according to Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby.
Scottish, above, is one of the top fancies in the Emirates Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Scottish has had one run in Australia for a second to Jameka in the Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 15 and Appleby was originally aiming to run the five year old in the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington last Tuesday.
But a change of heart will see the Teofilo gelding take on a tough weight for age field that is the old Mackinnon Stakes that used to be run on Derby Day, but is now one of the features on the final day of the four day Melbourne Cup carnival.
Scottish did great job to battle on for second to Jameka after setting the pace and Appleby said that he was done well since the Caulfield Cup and the drop back to 2000m won’t be a problem.
“Scottish is in great nick. I’m delighted with him. He couldn’t be any better and dropping back in trip will suit him,” Appleby told AAP.
“It should suit his run style ridden positively over the mile and a quarter.”
Scottish has won over the 2000m on three occasions in England and was also a winner two starts back over 1800m in the Group 3 £85,000 Strensall Stakes at York in England on August 20.
English jockey William Buick replaces Melbourne Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy on Scottish who will jump from barrier six in the thirteen horse Emirates Stakes field.
Scottish is well fancied in the Emirates Stakes market order at Ladbrokes.com.au and is on the third line of betting at $5.50 behind The United States at $4.20 and French raider Vadamos at $4.60.
