Goodmancon

The recent form makes for equally tough reading. Looking at the last six races in order from most recent, the finishing positions read: a fall or non-completion, then eighth, third, fourth, seventh, and sixth. That third-place finish stands out as a moment of promise — close enough to smell it — but the performances either side of it suggest a horse that finds ways to disappoint when it matters. Finishing seventh and eighth in recent outings is not the form of a horse building toward a breakthrough.

Ms S K Breen has been the regular partner in the saddle, riding Goodmancon in eight of its twelve races together without a single win between them. That is a long association to maintain without reward, and while loyalty in racing partnerships is admirable, eight rides and no wins is a partnership still searching for its moment. Whether a change of jockey might unlock something different is the kind of question the team will inevitably be asking.

What is worth noting is that Goodmancon raced just one day ago, so this is a horse very much in active training and still being given opportunities. Someone believes there is a race to be won here, and that belief alone keeps things interesting. Whether Goodmancon can finally deliver on that faith is the open question hanging over every future run.