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By Brad Gray

A wide barrier has not swayed William Buick from electing to ride Trekking in Saturday’s Longines Golden Slipper at Rosehill ahead of Godolphin stablemate Veranillo.

“He feels like a class colt and he is less exposed than Veranillo,” said Buick, who has his tail up after riding two winners over the weekend.

“He’s a horse with untapped potential and if he’d had a bit more luck in Canberra last time he could have won.

“We won’t be in much of a rush early and come with a late run hopefully.

“They both came out of their work (this morning) bucking and kicking so they are coming in fresh. You can tell this has been their ultimate goal and they are both ready for it.”

Trekking's Black Opal second

Buick is no stranger to the Golden Slipper having steered Ottoman to ninth in the 2015 edition of the race behind Vancouver.

“It all happens very quickly and it’s a tough race, but I have a feeling I’ll finish a little closer this time around,” said the Newmarket-based jockey.

“The Golden Slipper is one of the world’s biggest races. It’s huge. We are very aware of it in our part of the world and to win it for Godolphin would be fantastic.”

Meanwhile, Brenton Avdulla will pick up the ride on Veranillo who is the “most seasoned” of the two Godolphin runners according to assistant trainer Darren Beadman, who of course knows a thing or two about Slippers having won two himself.

“Veranillo is an exceptionally good colt. He’s a horse who’s showed good fight in all his finishes and acquitted himself very well in the Silver Slipper,” said Beadman.

“Blinkers go on for the first time and they seemed to have the right effect on him this morning at Osborne Park.

“He’s drawn a nice gate for his style of racing. I think he’s going to be in a cruising position about five lengths off the speed and hopefully he can get to the right part of the track.”

Veranillo boxed on bravely in the Pago Pago

Check out the fields for Rosehill on Saturday