O'Brien may still ride Australia Joseph O'Brien has revealed there is still a chance he could ride Australia in next week's Juddmonte International at York. Aidan O'Brien's dual Derby hero looked likely to have a new jockey if taking up his engagement in Wednesday's Group One feature, for which he would carry a weight of 8st 12lb - with O'Brien junior very rarely seen in the saddle at below 9st. However, he is keen to keep the partnership intact and told At The Races at Leopardstown: "I might ride him yet. We'll see what happens over the next couple of days. I'd love to ride him." He added: "He seems in good form. He's going to come on for his first run (after a break since the Curragh), if it's next week. "As long as the ground is good and quick, he might take his chance." Australia is one of 11 remaining possibles for the Knavesmire showpiece and stablemates Kingsbarns, Kingfisher and Hall Of Mirrors have also been confirmed. Chief threat to Australia could come from Sir Michael Stoute's Telescope. The four-year-old was no match for Taghrooda in the King George but lost little in defeat and was earlier an easy winner of the Hardwicke Stakes. He landed the Great Voltigeur on this card 12 months ago. Just behind Telescope in the King George was John Gosden's Eagle Top and he is another possible, although he also holds an entry in the Great Voltigeur. The same comments apply to Roger Varian's Kingston Hill, runner-up to Australia in the Investec Derby. Coral-Eclipse winner Mukhadram is on course for William Haggas, while Derby fourth Arod, a facile winner of a three-horse conditions race last time out, is also likely to run. Jim Bolger's Trading Leather and Kevin Ryan's Dante and French Derby winner The Grey Gatsby offer further strength in depth.
