American Bay

The pattern in his recent form tells the story. He has not won in his last six races, his most recent outing just yesterday producing a seventh-place finish. Yet his trainer sees the glass as half full. Midgley, based at Westow in North Yorkshire where his yard has sent out 39 winners this season, believes American Bay will grow into a better horse with time. He has been all over the place with the horse—tried him over six furlongs early on, then found success over five furlongs at Thirsk, where he won on 17 June last year. Last week, American Bay ran well again at that same course and distance, coming second in a race where Midgley felt his horse would have won if his rival had not waited so long to make his move. The trainer's view is that another winter to strengthen and mature will raise American Bay's ceiling considerably. At Class 4 level—solid middle-ground racing—the horse has never won, going 0 from 13 races there, which suggests he may be better suited to easier races as he develops. David Nolan has ridden him five times without a win. The waiting game, it seems, is far from over.