The recent form makes for honest reading: finishing seventh, tenth, fourth, sixth, and fifth across the last five completed runs. That fourth-place finish is the closest Tanaka has come to a reward, a near miss that at least suggests there is some ability in there trying to find a way out. Racing at Class 5 — the entry-level tier of British racing — Tanaka has drawn zero wins from three attempts at that level, which means even in the most accessible grade of competition, the breakthrough has not arrived.
What works in Tanaka's favour is the yard. David O'Meara's operation at Upper Helmsley in North Yorkshire is one of the most productive in the north of England, and 107 winners in a single season is not luck — that is a well-run, high-functioning training yard that clearly knows what it is doing. The fact that Tanaka was sent out just yesterday suggests the team has not given up, and trainers of O'Meara's calibre tend to keep faith with a horse for a reason. Sometimes it just takes time for a young horse to mature into its own skin, and at three years old, Tanaka has that time to spare.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beverley Undulating |
2 | 2 other | 17 Sep | 0% |
| Newcastle Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 8 Sep | 0% |
| Wolverhampton Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 11 Oct | 0% |
| Musselburgh Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 8 Aug | 0% |
| Catterick Bridge Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 30 May | 0% |