Trainer Bryce Heys has confirmed that he has booked leading Sydney hoop Hugh Bowman to ride Spieth in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 18th.
Spieth has been a strong and largely consistent performer throughout his entire racing career so far, but was undoubtedly at his career-best when he stormed home to finish an agonizingly-close second in the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) at Flemington in November.
Heys told Racing Victoria that is thrilled to have confirmed Bowman to ride the Thorn Park entire in the Lightning Stakes, having offered the hoop the ride during the 2016 Spring Carnival.
“I’m delighted that Hugh Bowman has committed to the ride for the Lightning,” Heys said.
“The ride was offered to him last spring but he was already engaged to ride Fell Swoop, which is understandable given he placed on him in the Manikato Stakes.
“Hugh is a world-class rider and it is great to get the opportunity for him to ride on the big stage.”
Spieth has reportedly taken plenty of benefit from his time away from racing and Heys is confident that he will return a far-more furnished prospect this time in.
“He is ticking over nicely, everything is going to plan at this point so hopefully we get him to Melbourne in good order and then it will be up to the horse,” he said.
Spieth clearly required a run when he returned to racing in 2016 for tenth in the Group 2 Arrowfield Sprint (1200m), but responded in the best way possible with three-consecutive race wins before being sent to the paddock.
Trialling well in the lead-up to his spring campaign, Spieth posted a maiden black type win in the Listed Lightning (1100m) at Randwick on October 15th, in what was his only other start prior to the Darley Classic.
The 2017 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes field and barrier draw is due to be completed and released by midday, February 15th.