What makes those fourths worth noting is that they are not the placings of a horse completely out of its depth. Finishing fourth repeatedly means Wingstar is in and around the action — just not quite sharp enough at the crucial moment. At Class 6, which is the entry-level tier of British racing, the horse has run three times without winning, which is the level where you would most expect a win to eventually come. For context, Class 6 races are essentially the starting point of the competitive ladder, so the pressure is on to convert sooner rather than later.
Wingstar is trained by Michael Keady at Newmarket, one of the most famous training centres in the world — a town in Suffolk where serious racehorses and serious trainers go about their business. Keady's yard has sent out 18 winners this season, which shows there is plenty of ability in the team, and Wingstar will be hoping some of that form rubs off. The horse raced just yesterday, so it is very much in the thick of the current season with opportunities still ahead.
At four years old, Wingstar is at a stage where most horses have started to show what they are genuinely capable of. Nine races in, the picture is of a horse that competes without embarrassing itself but hasn't yet put it all together on the day that matters. Whether that first win comes soon or keeps proving elusive will be the question to watch.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newcastle Galloping |
4 | 4 other | 19 Feb | 0% |
| Wolverhampton Galloping |
4 | 4 other | 30 Mar | 0% |
| Naas Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 23 Mar | 0% |