Global Weekly Review: O'Shea and 'Teo' top the bill

Godolphin have enjoyed many memorable weekends in Australian racing, but perhaps the timing of the latest run of success made it a little more important than most.
 
With the G1 Golden Slipper and the G1 Ranvet Stakes set to take place at Rosehill on Saturday, it was undeniable proof that the stable is firing and ready for one of the biggest racedays.
 
A total of six winners at three tracks is always a satisfying result, but it also came as a real boost to the 'Royal Blues' that English jockey William Buick found his way to the winner's enclosure so quickly on his arrival from Dubai.
 
He partnered the exciting ex-French galloper Spectroscope to victory in a handicap and then followed up with a win aboard It's Somewhat in the G2 Ajax Stakes.
 
Buick answered an 'SOS' after James Doyle's injured knee was taking longer than expected to come right. Doyle sustained injuries in a heavy fall at Randwick on February 13 and is still on the sidelines.
 
Trainer John O'Shea had been coping by booking the best available at each meeting but admitted there were times when a lack of continuity was making it very difficult.
 
"It's important that our jockeys know the horses well, so losing James (Doyle) when he was just becoming familiar with them was a real blow," O'Shea explained.
 
"William has done well to come here straight from Dubai and ride the two winners on Saturday.
 
"He will come out to Osborne Park on Tuesday morning and gallop both Trekking and Veranillo before deciding which he will be aboard in the Slipper on Saturday.
 
"It will probably be Trekking, and Brenton Avdulla will be on the other," the trainer added.
 
O'Shea chalked up a winning treble at Newcastle, the provincial track north of Sydney, with Florid, Istria and Vigilance, while he sent out Circular to win under Joao Moreira at Flemington in Melbourne.
 
But Godolphin success at the weekend was not confined just to human endeavour. Teofilo, a Darley stallion coming under the Godolphin banner, displayed his versatility when he sired the winners of the G1 Australian Cup in Melbourne, plus the featured Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park (UK) on the eve of the big Cheltenham jumping Festival.
 
Humidor was his winner of the Australian Cup and London Prize took the honours for him in the Imperial Cup.