Sweet Baby Zou

What works in Sweet Baby Zou's favour is the calibre of the operation behind it. Trainer Joseph Patrick O'Brien, based at Owning Hill in County Kilkenny, has sent out 160 winners already this season — a volume that puts the yard firmly among the most productive in Ireland. When a trainer is firing in winners at that rate, they are not short of horses who know how to win. The fact that Sweet Baby Zou has raced four times suggests the team believes there is something worth persevering with, even if results have not come yet.

At three years old, there is still time. Horses of this age are often still developing, and trainers of O'Brien's standing tend to be patient when they see potential. Sweet Baby Zou raced just yesterday, so the yard are clearly keeping the horse active and looking for the right opportunity. Whether that opportunity arrives soon is another question — but the search is very much ongoing.