Jamie Spencer so sweet on Secret Gesture’s Chicago challenge

In the Beverly D at 11.05pm I’m on Secret Gesture who I know well. She’s really stepped up her form this year. She was really good at York. She won really well. Then she ran well at The Curragh in the Legatissimo race which Diamondsandrubies won. That was a strong race. You’d have to say her form was right up there. Obviously Wedding Vow would be the big danger based on the odds. Euro Charline is the other one. They are the main two to worry about but I couldn’t be happier with my filly. I’m drawn out a bit further than I’d have liked in ten but will just have to take it as it comes. Carla Bianca goes forward early and I haven’t spoken to Ralph Beckett yet but Secret Gesture likes to go forward so I imagined she’ll be getting involved in the race early. I can’t see why I wouldn’t be handy. She ran a good race at the Breeders Cup in Santa Anita but that’s a sharp track and it’s hard to get rolling there. She was only beaten two and a half lengths but I think on a more expansive track it would have served her better. Even though she’s not very big she’s got a long stride and it probably didn’t suit her. Euro Charline ran a good race last time but I think last year when she won this race, Ryan Moore rode her, she was drawn low, went round on the fence, and the gaps came when she wanted them. She’s drawn wider this time and it will be interesting to see how the race pans out for her.

I’d say the Arlington Million at 11.48pm is a bit down on quality compared to previous years. It doesn’t look the strongest of races. You could probably make a good case for Maverick Wave. He was very tough at Chester and won a handicap before that. He’s stepped his form up a notch. Big Blue Kitten looks solid but he’s not getting any younger. It will be an interesting race. Belgian Bill I’ve ridden once before in Dubai, and finished third on him. He’s a nice horse who tries hard. He’s rated 102 so he’s probably 10lbs below what he needs to be to be competitive in the placings. So he’ll need a lot of luck to get involved. We’ll do our best and see where that takes us. Sometimes horses can jump up and improve in these races, particularly if they are using Bute and Lasix for the first time. It’s a big help. It’s like us taking painkillers when you’re stiff and sore. It’s a big help especially for an older horse.

I thought Highland Reel would be strong in the Secretariat. He ran a good race at Goodwood. The pace was slow that day and he basically out-quickened them. He’s taking on the Italian Derby winner, Goldstream. He looks a nice horse but it’s hard to get a handle on that form. I just think that Aidan’s horse has that bit more class and going back to a mile and a quarter will help him, and Aidan’s won this race before a few times.

I haven’t sat on The Grey Gatsby recently but they are very happy with him. Brian Hughes actually rode work on him last week and was very pleased with him. The Juddmonte is shaping up to be one of the races of the season with Golden Horn and Gleneagles. One’s supposedly the best miler, one’s the best middle distance horse, and that’s without Time Test who’s in the ‘could be anything’ category. Then there’s my horse who’s probably a bit in the shadows but he has taken a few bug scalps before.

Jamie