The striking three-year-old Zamorar was being touted as a future champion and sent out at $2.30 favourite in the third. I thought he had a bit of a parrot mouth, but in addition he was showing some terrific overbite with his top lip retracted to show some great teeth. I’m gradually developing a disliking to a display of teeth, which is often an indicator of some dissatisfaction with the bit. And he was showing some great gums and flared nostrils! And also he was grinding on the bit, which has long been one of my no-nos. And he had a suspicious bandage above his hock as well. And did I mention that he was changing stride, with his head up? I was in the process of laying him for the place when I was interrupted by an important conversation with someone about something or another and didn’t get set. The horse managed to grab second. Sometimes it pays not to get set!
It turned out to be one of those days. A winner, Lucky Penny, at $2.00 the place, but then I gave it back with a fourth by Queen’s Fashion. All good exercise for the wallet.