Spieth Ready for Black Caviar Lightning Stakes

Trainer Bryce Heys is pleased with the condition of stable star Spieth ahead of his competitive return in Saturday’s featured Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington Racecourse.

Spieth will return to the races in Saturday's Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington. Photo: Steve Hart

Spieth will return to the races in Saturday’s Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington. Photo: Steve Hart

Spieth has been a standout performer throughout his entire racing career so far, but went to another level during a brief Spring Carnival campaign which heralded a smart win in the Listed The Lightning (1100m) and an agonizingly-close second in the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) on November 5th.

Heys told Racing Ahead that the Thorn Park entire has arrived in Melbourne a picture of health and is eagerly anticipating his run in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes 2017.

“He’s in fantastic order, so we look forward to Saturday with great anticipation,” Heys said.

“He arrived in Melbourne in the early hours of this morning. It’s the only place he’s ever travelled to before, he’s in the same box that he’s always been in and his head went straight into the feed bin, so everything looks in readiness.

“He’s always been a horse with significant quality that we thought could get to this level and going into the Darley it was a long-range plan that he would progress to the Lightning and it would be the definitive run heading into the autumn.

“There’s no reason to suggest that he hasn’t continued to improve.”

Spieth will meet leading three-year-olds Flying Artie and Star Turn for the first time in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes and Heys believes that whatever the result, all horses will be serious autumn Group 1 contenders.

“If everyone gets a fair crack, it’s going to answer a lot of questions going forward about each of them. This is a high-quality race and no matter who you like in the race, they’re going to progress,” he said.

“It’s up to Hugh (Bowman). Hugh just needs to be Hugh – get him a run and present him at the right time like he’s the best horse in the race, and that will definitively tell the public whether my horse is the real deal or not.”

Spieth has posted five wins and a further two minors through only nine career starts, since making his competitive debut during the spring of 2015.

Drawn in barrier 5, Spieth will carry 58.5kgs in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes and will be partnered by Hugh Bowman.

The four-year-old is currently available at 2017 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes odds of $5.50 with Ladbrokes Australia.

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Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.