The frustration for Tuer and his team is that Bellasio has shown far more than his bare record suggests. In his last six races, he has finished second twice—most recently just days ago—and fifth twice more. That is the form of a horse perpetually knocking on the door, and Tuer does not hide his frustration at the missed opportunities. "Very frustrating" is how he describes those second-place finishes, because he believes Bellasio is better than they imply. The trainer points to soft ground as the key to unlocking the horse's best performances, which is why Bellasio was given nearly a year away from racing and has only recently returned to action. The plan is clear: get him fit, find the right ground conditions, and aim him at courses and races where he has already proved he can win.
Oliver Stammers, his regular jockey, has ridden him eight times and won once—a similar win rate to his overall record—but the partnership appears to be the one Tuer trusts. At Class 5 level, which is where Bellasio has raced six times, he has not managed a win yet, suggesting he may need to find easier company or better ground to break through again. With ten pounds of weight in hand according to his trainer, Bellasio remains a horse with untapped potential, still hunting for that third career victory.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlisle Undulating |
5 | 2 wins, 2 seconds, 1 other | 4 Jul | 40% |
| Newcastle Galloping |
3 | 1 second, 1 third, 1 other | 2 Jun | 0% |
| Hamilton Park Sharp |
2 | 2 seconds | 11 Jun | 0% |
| Ripon Sharp |
2 | 2 other | 1 Sep | 0% |
| Southwell Galloping |
2 | 2 other | 7 May | 0% |
| Haydock Park Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 22 May | 0% |
| Redcar Galloping |
1 | 1 second | 20 Jul | 0% |
| Wolverhampton Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 21 Jul | 0% |