Amazonian Dream

The real story here is the comeback. Last summer, Amazonian Dream won at Windsor, and his trainer Rod Millman at Kentisbeare in Devon has watched him produce performances that look more like the horse that was winning four races and racking up places regularly—his streak two seasons ago shows what he is capable of. At Class 4 level, where he typically races, he has won 2 of his last 23 races, which sounds thin until you understand that he is now well handicapped after a disappointing season. Millman knows exactly what is happening: when a horse runs well and gets loaded up in the weights, the following year becomes a slog. Now that Amazonian Dream has dropped back to a mark of 75, he should find opportunities to win again—and his Windsor victory on 20 July confirmed that the old spark is reigniting.

His recent record—wins, placings, seventh place, fourth, a distant fifth in his most recent race just a day ago—shows a horse still finding his feet after a lean spell. Jockey Lewis Edmunds, his regular partner, has won twice from 17 rides together at the same 12 percent rate Amazonian Dream achieves overall, suggesting they work well as a team. The yard itself remains busy and competitive, with 42 winners sent out this season. Amazonian Dream may never challenge for anything grand, but horses like this—honest seven-year-olds with a bit of form and the right weight—are exactly the kind that reward the patient and attentive. He looks ready to pick up another race or two.