Brian Meehan is disappointed Jamie Spencer can't ride Raheem House in the St Leger on Saturday, but feels he's got the perfect replacement in Adan Kirby.
Spencer was on board for the Sea The Stars colt's last three runs including when winning the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket's July Festival when last seen, but he misses out this weekend as he's due to ride Deauville for retained owners Fitri and Jim Hay in the Woodbine Mile in Canada.
Meehan admits he's disappointed that association will be broken, but reckons he's got the right man to replace Spencer in Adam Kirby, who added to his growing Group One tally on Harry Angel in the Sprint Cup at Haydock last weekend.
"It's very disappointing that Jamie can't ride him, he's been claimed to ride in Toronto for Aidan O'Brien and Mr Hay, and that's fair enough.
"We've been lucky to get Adam Kirby to ride him, he's doing so well at the moment and riding with such confidence.
"Raheem House is a big horse and he'll suit Adam - he's got a way of getting horses into a rhythm."
The trainer has had the Doncaster Classic in mind since the horse passed the post at headquarters and reports everything has gone well in his final preparation ahead of the weekend.
He said: "I was particularly pleased with him (on Thursday morning), he worked with a horse that's usually got a little bit too much speed for him and he was bang there, he breezed really well.
"I felt that he needed a bit more time (after Newmarket), the Leger was always the target for him, having had four runs earlier in the year. And it's worked out, he's got stronger and he hasn't really missed a day.
"Everything has gone to plan.
"The ground is going to be fine and the trip is good, he's bred for it, so he's ticking those boxes.
"It's very exciting, you're trying to keep it calm and keep it simple, but we're really looking forward to it."
