On Key

The recent form tells a similar story. In the last six races, On Key has posted two second-place finishes and a fifth, an eighth, a fourth, and another second. The seconds are encouraging, the eighth is a blip, but the overall picture is of a horse that rarely embarrasses itself and regularly finishes close to the action. That's not nothing — plenty of horses at this level struggle to place at all.

Jockey Ryan Sexton has been the regular partner, riding On Key in 7 of its 20 races without managing to get that first win on the board. It's a frustrating partnership on paper, though it's worth remembering the horse hasn't won for anyone. The question isn't really about the jockey — it's about whether On Key has the turn of foot to convert all those close finishes into victories. So far, the answer has been no.

The yard behind the horse is Scott Dixon's operation in Rolleston, Nottinghamshire, and by any measure it's having a productive season — 33 winners sent out is a healthy total that tells you this is a team that knows how to get horses ready to win. The fact that On Key hasn't broken through yet is unlikely to reflect on the preparation.

On Key has run most often at Class 5 level, which sits towards the lower end of the racing ladder — these are competitive races, but not the top tier. Eight races at that level without a win is a streak that can't be ignored, though seven places suggest the talent is somewhere in there. Raced just yesterday and still active, the next run won't be far away. Whether that finally produces the breakthrough is the one question this horse's record refuses to answer.