Rhys Radford never hides his admiration for Comfort Me, an outside chance of causing a big upset on his resumption in the Group 3 Roma Cup (1100m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Radford considers the clash between Comfort Me and glamour mare Amelia’s Jewel as a David versus Goliath battle, but he’s confident his underdog won’t let anyone down.
Comfort Me might not go down as Radford’s best ever horse, Great Shot could have him covered after Group 1 success in the Railway Stakes, but he’s not far behind.
Comfort Me’s racing resume is missing that major career-defining victory, but it also reads how on two occasions he came close to claiming his own success at the top level.
The son of Playing God ran second to Western Empire in the 2021 Group 1 Railway Stakes and occupied the same placing a year later behind Trix Of The Trade, negotiating wide draws in both events.
Comfort Me also holds placings in five Group events: the Gold Rush (1400m) twice, including his previous start last December, the Northam Stakes (1300m), the Eurythmic Stakes (1400m) and Lee Steere Stakes (1400m).
Although without a win in two and a half years, Comfort Me’s top three finishes in black-type races has the seven-year-old closing in on a remarkable $2 million in prizemoney.
“To be honest I don’t think there’s a lot between him and Great Shot, really,” Radford said to The Races WA.
“Other than their race records, obviously, but they both have got the best out of themselves.
“I think he’s (Comfort Me) won a million since he last won a race, I didn’t think you could do that, but apparently you can.
“He’s definitely a trier who gives you everything.”
Comfort Me had one trial in preparation for the Roma Cup, winning his heat at Lark Hill where he led before pulling clear to score by three lengths in a promising performance.
“Looking at his trial I can’t see why he can’t run a cheeky race,” Radford said.
“His gallops have been very good since.
“The leader is probably Acromantula and that’s drawn outside of him.
“If they can drag us across he lobs into a decent spot.
“I can’t see why he can’t finish in the money.
“He ran fifth last year, so wasn’t that far off them.”
Currently rated $15 with Tabtouch, Comfort Me has drawn barrier seven and will be ridden by Holly Watson.
Amelia’s Jewel is the $1.95 favourite with betting apps in Australia.
