Newyorkstateofmind

The interesting part of his story is how well he does when the conditions and the race suit him. At Hamilton Park, he has won 2 of his 6 races there, suggesting he has genuinely figured out something about that track. More tellingly, he is a creature of the all-weather: he has won 6 of his 9 wins on artificial surfaces, and when he does race on grass, he needs fast, dry ground to show up. At the lower class races — Class 5 — his win rate jumps to 1 in every 2 or 3 races, with 3 wins from 25 attempts. Put him in a competitive field above his level and he struggles; pitch him right, and he delivers.

His trainer Ruth Carr, based at Stillington in North Yorkshire, has been getting the most out of him. In 31 races together, jockey James Sullivan — who rides him most often — has picked up 3 wins, a better ratio than Newyorkstateofmind's career average. The trainer has noted that the horse thrives on the all-weather in particular and needs conditions to be in his favour on turf. Last year he won 3 of 13 races, which was described as a nice return, and he last won at Newcastle just over two years ago. His most recent six races have brought no victories, though he picked up a couple of places, suggesting he is still capable of getting in the frame even if the wins have dried up. At nine years old, he is a veteran of the game, and while he may never win a graded race, he remains exactly what the game needs: a honest, genuine competitor who gives everything when called upon.