Voice Of Northeast

The partnership with jockey Rian Lane hasn't cracked the code either — five races together and no wins between them. That's not necessarily a reflection on either horse or rider, but it does tell you that whatever the answer is, it hasn't shown up yet. O'Brien's yard is clearly capable, having sent out 10 winners already this season, which makes Voice Of Northeast something of an outlier in the string — a puzzle the team keeps coming back to.

What is worth noting is that this horse raced just yesterday, so O'Brien clearly hasn't lost faith. Keeping a horse in work and in competition is a statement of sorts — the belief that the right race, the right day, or the right conditions might finally unlock something. At four, there is still time. Some horses simply take longer to find their feet, and the fact that there has been a placing along the way suggests there is some ability in there. The question is whether it can be turned into a win before the season runs out of road.