On The River

The pattern of his career is unmistakable: he is a wet-ground specialist. On turf with soft conditions he wins roughly 1 in every 2.2 races (5 wins from 11), a rate that climbs even higher on very wet and muddy going (2 wins from 7). This is not a horse that travels well across firm, fast ground. Bethell has learned to read these conditions and wait for them — after Carlisle, she explained that they had to run because he needed soft ground. His partnership with jockey Cam Hardie is particularly strong; they have won 5 races together from 15, a win rate of one-in-three that sits far above his baseline. Most of his wins have come in Class 4 races, where he has won 5 from 24 starts. Recent form has been difficult — he has not won in his last six races — but at seven years old and still racing, still showing ability on the right ground, On The River remains the kind of horse that rewards those who understand him. The yard is in good form too, having sent out 18 winners already this season.