Give him a go
It’s been two years since Amovatio last won a race, the Group 3 Hawkesbury Cup (1600m). He’s raced 21 times since for five minor placings, four of those in listed races.
Despite racing frequently and continually being beaten, Amovatio has dropped just five handicap points since his win at Hawkesbury (106 to 101).
In fact, he went into the race at Hawkesbury with a rating of 102, having already won two listed races inside the previous nine months.
But he’s currently got a 101 rating despite being unplaced from his past seven starts. Do the handicappers suggest he’s going as well as he was then?
Racing requires horses like Amovatio to continue racing and the owners of the horse are good sports to persist, at around $45,000 to keep him in training each year.
But the horse is not being afforded his chance to win another race because his handicap is too high.
Perhaps a number of points, say six, should be automatically shaved from a horse that doesn’t win over a 12-month period.
Epping (Vic)