Tepmokea

Tepmokea put up a noteworthy performance when finishing seventh in the Class 2 12-furlong handicap won by The Fonz on Wednesday at York. Richard Fahey’s gelding jumped off well enough and held a good position just in behind the leaders for jockey William Buick, but he got shuffled back after one of the early leaders, Chilly Filly, dropped back from front rank. There were a couple of horses keen in the race, but Tepmokea was keener than most, and he was again short of room early in the home straight. Also, he raced towards the far side of the track, which was not an advantage with the first four home all racing towards the near rail up the straight. Given all of that, Tepmokea stayed on well and he can be marked up a bit on this effort.

Tepmokea has already had a good season, winning twice, which included a really good performance on his previous run, at Doncaster, where he beat Bonfire Knight in another good handicap over 10 furlongs. This was only his second try over 12 furlongs, and he had run well on his first try, but he may be better dropped back to 10 furlongs again as the slightly faster pace that they usually go over that trip should suit him better as it would allow him to settle better than he did here. There could be still more to come from him this season, he appears to be suited by an ease in the ground, he has done well when racing on that surface in the past and he should get that type of ground as we come into the autumn again.

18th August 2010