Tasmanian Girl

Her best performances come when the trip stretches out — over distances between a mile and six furlongs and two miles, she has won 1 from 7 races, a win rate of around 1 in 7. That is still modest, but it is a significant step up from her overall record and suggests she finds her rhythm when there is more ground to cover. Recent form has been quiet — her last six runs show finishing positions of 5th, 6th, 14th, 8th, and a pulled-up run, with nothing pointing to an imminent return to the winner's enclosure.

She is trained by Aengus King, whose yard in Newmarket-On-Fergus, Co Clare has sent out 5 winners this season — a small but active operation. Jockey Cian Quirke has been her most regular partner, riding her in 6 races together and partnering her for that Thurles win. Between them they have won 1 from 6, which works out at roughly 1 in 6 — actually her most productive combination.

Tasmanian Girl raced just yesterday, so she is very much in active campaign. The Thurles win is now 15 months behind her, and the honest truth is that the profile here is one of a horse who keeps turning up and keeps trying without threatening to dominate. But horses like her are the backbone of racing — consistent, durable, and every now and then capable of a day that makes it all worthwhile.