How leading jockey broke the no.1 rule in disastrous Group 1 ride

The enigma of Jamie Spencer lived on this Melbourne Cup Carnival.

An esteemed jockey in England, Spencer’s record in Australia makes for ugly reading and it’s a trend that continued in 2023.

Most notably, on the final day of the Flemington Carnival, Spencer ignored the “number one rule” aboard hot favourite West Wind Blows in the Champion Stakes (2000m), who missed the start before being sent to the front by Spencer.

The five-year-old gelding tired badly in the straight to finish 9th of 11.

Spencer had 14 rides in the 2023 spring carnival, five of which started single-figure odds, for zero wins. In fact, the 43-year-old hasn’t ridden a winner in Melbourne since Oaks Day of 2013. He’s 0/24 in that period.

Prominent owner John O’Neill didn’t mince his words when speaking about Spencer’s ride aboard West Wind Blows, who he also rode in the Caulfield Cup and Turnbull Stakes when second on both occasions.

“People to me have said these international horses like to free roll (in front), what a load of rubbish,” he said on SEN.

“It missed the start a length and a half… and then he decides to take off. It would have led Imperatriz (Champion Sprint winner) mid-race, it went that fast.”

Trainer Wayne Hawkes concurred, adding: “For the record, when you’re a jockey out of barriers, rule number one is if you miss the kick, don’t dig them up and hunt them forward, you just have to take your medicine and sit there.

“That’s the unwritten rule.”

SENTrack’s Gareth Hall, who rates Spencer highly in English conditions, believes owners and trainers are pulling the wrong rein when booking Spencer to ride in Australia.

“I’ve never seen a jockey get it so wrong on so many occasions and get opportunity after opportunity to continue on,” he said.

“It’s like playing three spinners at the WACA… he’s not suited to Australian conditions.

To which Hawkes replied: “But he can’t spin the ball!”

Spencer wasn’t alone in international jockeys who endured a lean spring. Joao Moreria, regarded as the best hoop in the world by many for his exploits in Hong Kong, had one winner from seven rides on horses that started in single figures and copped a barrage for his ride on Soulcombe in the Melbourne Cup.