Moore still not convinced by Medico
Trainer John Moore highlighted the level of disappointment in the yard for Medico when he gave yesterday's winner the kind of negative post-race assessment usually reserved for those who lost by almost three lengths, not won by it.
Stable rider Darren Beadman gave Medico a rails-hugging ride from gate one, then drove the four-year- old well clear to score by a very convincing margin but it only raised rather than erased the disappointment in the horse felt by Moore (pictured).
'You know, I bought him as a Derby prospect last year and he wasn't a cheap horse but all he has become is an embarrassment, considering the level I thought he would go to,' Moore said, uninspired by Medico having left his Hong Kong maiden tag behind in emphatic fashion.
'He had some terrific form in Ireland against some very progressive handicap horses and I was impressed with him. But it's been very simple - he just hasn't acclimatised at all.'
After starting his local career on an 87 rating, Medico's success yesterday over Local Power and Prime Delight came only after a 14-point fall and a drop in class.
'He never took to Hong Kong at all, never coped with this environment. He has just sulked the whole time. I think the first time my son George saw Medico, he was there with his head hanging out over the door to his stall, just sitting on the top of the door, and George just said, 'Dad, that is an unhappy horse',' Moore said. 'We even had a phone call not long ago to see if we'd be interested in sending him back to Ireland to get him going and see if he could pick up his career there again, though I don't think it was really an option for us. In one way, it's good to get this win out of him but now I have to hope the handicapper isn't too heavy on him and puts him back into Class Two.
'This was a weak Class three today, Darren's never covered an inch of extra ground and that's why he's won by the margin that he has, but I would prefer him to still be in this grade again next time. Then he might be some chance of doing it again.'
The win allowed Moore (22 wins) to stay in touch with championship lamplighter John Size (24), who won with Unique Jewellery, and the pair edged one win clearer of Caspar Fownes.
