The fact that Mathoura keeps placing without winning tells a useful story. She has finished in the top three in four of her five outings, which shows she is competitive and belongs in the races she is running in — she is just not quite quick enough to get her head in front yet. This is not unusual for a three-year-old still learning the game. What matters is that she is consistently thereabouts, which suggests her trainer knows what she is doing with her. Tickle's yard has sent out 20 winners already this season, so he has a track record of getting horses to the line.
According to Tickle, Mathoura is a well-made filly by Calyx who will improve with distance. The plan is to start her over a mile, and potentially go further still as she matures. That makes sense — a horse that is placing regularly at shorter distances often needs room to show what she can do, and a step up in trip could be exactly what she needs to break through and get that first win on the board.
| Course | Races | Results | Last run | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bath Undulating |
2 | 1 third, 1 other | 8 Oct | 0% |
| Gowran Park Undulating |
1 | 1 second | 5 May | 0% |
| Fairyhouse Galloping |
1 | 1 third | 28 May | 0% |
| Goodwood Undulating |
1 | 1 other | 29 Aug | 0% |
| The Curragh Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 19 Jul | 0% |