James Doyle rides for royalty in the Golden Slipper knowing he could have been making a living in far less glamorous circumstances.

There's money in plumbing but nothing like the wages Doyle has the potential to earn as a retained jockey for Sheikh Mohammed, the richest man in world racing.

And even though Doyle isn't riding Godolphin's best chance on Saturday, it's safe to say negotiating the often disorderly nature of a Golden Slipper will always win out over clearing a blocked S-bend.

Doyle and fellow British-based jockey William Buick will lead Godolphin into a new era when they ride in the Golden Slipper barely a few months after raising eyebrows with their decision to sign with Sheikh Mohammed's global racing outfit.

For 26-year-old Doyle, the move to one of the premier roles in international racing comes four years after his career stalled despite a successful apprenticeship.

"I rode a lot of winners on the all-weather (tracks) and had no experience on the big tracks so I did struggle for a few years," Doyle said.

"I'm quite tall and I lost my claim very quickly and even then I thought I would be lucky to still be riding now to be honest.

"When something is not financially viable you have to look at other options but fortunately I set myself a target and it's gone well since."

After flirting with the idea of enrolling in a plumbing course, Doyle turned a breakthrough Group One win in 2012 into an association with Kingman and Noble Mission, good horses who made him into a good jockey.

That's why his end-of-season switch from being the retained UK jockey for Prince Khalid Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to ride for the ruler of Dubai was a move that was met with surprise in English racing.

"Working for Juddmonte, I only did 18 months for them and we had such a cracking season," Doyle said.

"It was a fairytale season really because it just went from strength to strength so it was a tough decision but obviously the global branding of Godolphin now was one of the major attractions.

"As a jockey you grow up wanting to put on the royal blue silks so it's pretty amazing to be a part of it."

Doyle will ride Haptic for John O'Shea from an inside draw in the Golden Slipper.

The colt is unbeaten but he's been disregarded as a blue chip chance as Vancouver and Godolphin stablemate Exosphere stifle the top end of bookmakers' markets.

Doyle would like to ride Exosphere but that mount has gone to James McDonald, the New Zealand jockey who last week joined Doyle on the Godolphin books.

"Exosphere looks the one, from what I have seen," Doyle said.

Riding in a Golden Slipper isn't going to be easy for Doyle, even allowing for the benefit of some lead-up rides in Sydney.

"In Australian two-year-old racing it's get out of the barriers quickly, get your position, then lock up and then sprint off the turn," Doyle said.

"It is totally different to what I am used to but it's been a good experience."

And even if Haptic doesn't win, it will be an occasion that is sure to beat donning a pair of overalls on a cool spring morning in England to fix a busted water pipe.