A year on from announcing his intended retirement, Jamie Spencer will be in America this weekend attempting to ride his second big-race winner within a week as Secret Gesture runs in the Beverly D Stakes at Arlington.
The Ralph Beckett-trained Secret Gesture is owned by Spencer's old boss, Sheikh Fahad of Qatar Racing.
Spencer indicted his desire to quit the saddle when Sheikh Fahad informed him he was to be replaced by Andrea Atzeni as retained jockey.
It was the prospect of missing events like this, though, which helped Spencer reverse his decision.
The former champion jockey has been riding better than ever recently, and shone on Luca Cumani's Second Step to win the Grosser Preis Von Berlin last Sunday.
Spencer knows Secret Gesture well and the five-year-old landed her first Group Two on her return to action this season at York.
Last time out she was beaten two and a half lengths into fourth behind Diamondsandrubies in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh.
"Secret Gesture has had two good runs this season," said the jockey.
"She won nicely at York and ran well in the Pretty Polly and generally that type of form is good enough to win this type of race.
"Euro Charline looks the big danger. She won it last year when I finished third on Just The Judge so they set a reasonable standard and if you can run to 115 you're very competitive."
Marco Botti's Euro Charline was denied a run at Royal Ascot when she refused to enter the stalls but she was beaten just a length by Amazing Maria in the Falmouth Stakes and that form has since been franked by the winner.
"She's a good traveller, and that's a bonus. She's cantered on the track and is happy and moved well," said Botti.
"Amazing Maria gave a good boost to her form in France and considering Euro Charline hadn't run for a while, and missed her race at Royal Ascot, I expect her to come on for that.
"It's a tough race and there's a few European fillies going, with Aidan O'Brien's runner (Wedding Vow) and Secret Gesture, but she's definitely up to their standard."
Wedding Vow was a Group Two winner at the Curragh before chasing home 1000 Guineas heroine Legatissimo in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.
"The trip suits her, and we'll take our time in the race," said O'Brien.
Another European runner is Dermot Weld's Carla Bianca, owned by Moyglare Stud.
Fiona Craig, breeding advisor for Moyglare, said: "She's in good form. She has to improve to win a race like this, but the track should suit and I think the style of racing will suit her as well.
"We're keen to give it a go - nothing ventured, nothing gained - and we'll see what she can do.
"After this we'll bring her home and probably run in the Blandford Stakes, which we sponsor, on Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown."
"He jumped on to the horse box and, it might sound silly, but he knew he was going to get on an aeroplane" - George Baker on jetsetter Belgian Bill
The feature race is the Arlington Million, in which John Gosden's Maverick Wave appears to hold the best chance for the Europeans.
Marcel Koren, assistant and travelling head lad for the Clarehaven handler, said: "He was flying for the first time in his life and he took it really good. He is really happy.
"It's a good field of horses and I think he is perfect for this race.
"He's been training for this race and is a front-runner and should be placed up there.
"He breaks well and gets a bit keen if he's back, so I think he will likely go forward."
The European raiding party is also represented by David Marnane with Elleval, Mikel Delzangles' Bookrunner and the George Baker-trained Belgian Bill.
The latter has spent most of his career in handicaps but on the occasions he has stepped into Pattern company, mostly overseas, he has not been disgraced.
"He loves travelling. He jumped on to the horse box and, it might sound silly, but he knew he was going to get on an aeroplane," Baker told At The Races.
"We might be 100-1, but you've got to tilt at the odd windmill.
"He's been such a star. You don't expect to win the Hunt Cup or at Dubai or reach a career-high mark at seven. That gives us the confidence to go.
"I've looked through the form and watched a few of the videos and it made me very nervous, but he's genuinely a 10lb better horse when he steps off an aeroplane.
"Whatever happens, he'll probably go to Turkey when he gets home. There's then the Balmoral Handicap at Ascot and Dubai so we've got a plan.
"I hope he enjoys it."
Belgian Bill's task has been made even harder after having been drawn widest of all in stall 13.
Also on the card is the Secretariat Stakes, in which O'Brien runs Goodwood victor Highland Reel.
The Ballydoyle handler said: "It's back to a mile and a quarter, and I would say he's unlikely to be going for the (Doncaster) St Leger.
"We'll see how he gets on, and take it from there."
Andy Oliver's Panama Hat takes on local favourite The Pizza Man, last year's winner, in the American St Leger.
