Jockey Plans Firming For Royal Ascot
Updated: July 21, 2015 at 4:17 pm
Riding plans are coming together for next week’s Royal meeting, and Kevin Ryan, trainer of G1 Prince of Wales’s S. contender The Grey Gatsby (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), revealed on At The Races Wednesday that champion rider Ryan Moore is likely to pilot that dual Group 1 winner.
“We’re nearly sure Ryan is going to ride him; it’s a big bonus having Ryan,” the trainer said. “[The Grey Gatsby] is in great order and did his final piece of work this morning. We’re right where we want to be with him and he’ll be going there 100%.”
Young Australian jockey Chad Schofield has been confirmed as the rider of Criterion (NZ) (Sebring {Aus}) in the Prince of Wales’s. That 4-year-old has been ridden by Craig Williams in his last three starts, including a win in Australia’s A$4 million G1 Queen Elizabeth S., but Schofield has been riding the three-time Group 1 winner in work in England. Trainer David Hayes’s son Ben tweeted Wednesday, “Very happy for [Schofield] for securing the ride on Criterion. Worked very hard for it and deserves a chance.”
Williams will not be shut out, however, as he will reportedly pilot Australian sprinter Brazen Beau (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) in Saturday’s G1 Diamond Jubilee S. The 3-year-old colt’s regular rider, Joao Moreira, has commitments in Hong Kong June 20, the day of the race.