Buick to Miss Saudi Cup After Positive COVID-19 Test
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Photo: Dubai Racing Club
Jockey William Buick
William Buick will miss four rides on the Feb. 26 Saudi Cup (G1) card after testing positive for COVID-19 in Dubai. The leading rider will also miss his four intended mounts at Meydan on Friday.
Buick had four strong chances on the Saudi Cup undercard, including favorite Naval Crown in the $1.5 million 1351 Turf Sprint presented by stc (G3). The Godolphin rider will also have fancied his chances aboard Siskany in the Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap (G3), Noble Truth in the Saudi Derby presented by Al Rajhi Bank (G3), and Copano Kicking in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint presented by Saudia (G3).
Fellow Godolphin rider James Doyle takes over on Naval Crown and Siskany, while Frankie Dettori will now partner Noble Truth and David Egan rides Copano Kicking. Egan will also ride Happy Power in the Turf Sprint, after Doyle switched to the Charlie Appleby-trained Naval Crown.
Trainer William Muir will also be missing from Riyadh on Saturday after testing positive for COVID-19 in Britain. His symptoms are said to be mild as he isolates away from his staff at his yard in Lambourn.
Muir will be represented by Coral Coronation Cup (G1) winner Pyledriver in the $1.5 million Neom Turf Cup presented by Jahez (G3), with only Japanese star Authority shorter in the betting.