West Wind Blows

The Hamilton win in July 2022 is worth dwelling on, because it came in a Class 1 race, one of the top races in Britain. Winning at that level is genuinely difficult, and it remains the high-water mark of his career. The Crisford yard at Newmarket — which has sent out 79 winners already this season, so this is a team that knows what it is doing — has kept him competing at the same Class 1 level ever since, where he wins roughly 1 in every 8 races. That is a tough ask, but the consistent placed finishes suggest he belongs there.

Where he clearly thrives is at a distance of around a mile and three to a mile and four furlongs. Over that trip, he has won 3 from 8 races — a 38% win rate, or better than 1 in every 3. That is a remarkable number at any level and tells you that when conditions suit him, he is a genuinely potent force. The trainer had flagged early in 2022 that stepping up from shorter distances was the key to unlocking his potential, and that prediction proved correct.

He has also raced in Australia, where a fascinating duel at Caulfield saw him go head-to-head with Without A Fight — a horse good enough to travel to the Melbourne Cup. Spencer reported a difficult experience at Flemington, citing barrier issues that left him slow away and cost him any chance. These are the small margins that define careers at the top level. West Wind Blows raced just one day ago and remains active, still placing, still competitive. The winner's circle has been waiting nearly four years for him to return.