Spencer to ride Brave Smash in world's richest turf race

Jamie Spencer will add European interest to the inaugural running of the world's richest turf race, The Everest, after it was confirmed on Thursday he had been booked for one of the 12 runners, Brave Smash.

Styled on the $12 million Pegasus World Cup run at Florida's Gulfstream Park in January, the A$10m (£5.9m) six-furlong weight-for-age race will be run at Randwick on October 14. As with the Pegasus, starting berths in the race must be bought by connections and cost A$600,000 each.

Spencer has been called up to ride Brave Smash, a Japanese-bred four-year-old who has joined Darren Weir having formerly been with Michihiro Ogasa. He is a 33-1 shot with British bookmakers.

James Heddo, executive general manager of racing for owners Australian Bloodstock, said: "Brave Smash has a racing pattern that will benefit from an experienced rider and Jamie Spencer fits that criteria perfectly. Jamie has ridden for Australian Bloodstock successfully in the past and the ATC is very excited to have Jamie visit Australia again."

Spencer has plenty of big-race experience in Australia, and claimed the Grade 1 Mackinnon Stakes in 2013 for Andrew Balding.

Local rider Tim Clark will also be in action in the race after he was booked to ride the Coolmore-owned Tulip for David Hayes and Tom Dabernig.

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