Laughter Best Medicine

The Sun Herald

Saturday May 22, 1993

By Tony Brassel

RACE 1

A HOLLOW win by CERISE 'N' BLACK who went into the race with a distinct fitness advantage.

The chestnut was having her sixth run from a spell whereas several of her opponents will be improved.

CERISE 'N' BLACK is a true Star Kingdom (Ire) in build - she's a low slung chestnut and won't manage much further than 1,200m.

Kevin Moses saved her until the rise, then sent the youngster along to overcome SOUND OF LAUGHTER and company. She may be hard to place from now on, however.

SOUND OF LAUGHTER turned in the best run of the race. She gave weight to each of her opponents, looked one run short of her top, yet fought back gamely under pressure.

Her stablemate VAINWAY didn't get the best of starts but she hasn't grown since her two-year-old days. Her future is limited.

RACE 2

THERE'S still a lot of improvement in FORGETFUL, a compact filly who cruised along off the speed and showed great ticker.

In a driving joust, she outgunned MARSALA and MACROSA in the best finish of the afternoon - if you backed FORGETFUL.

Don't Forget Me, the sire of this winner, jet-setted between Ireland and New Zealand after winning both the English and Irish 2000 Guineas.

Although FORGETFUL pulled out all stops in winning, runner-up MARSALA turned in a fine job after shooting clear from her wide alley.

The juvenile recorded the same first 600m time (35.4s) as the three-year-old fillies in the previous event, then found plenty when challenged.

MACROSA looked the pick in the enclosure and had her chance down the running. More ground for her.

RACE 3

RISING six-year-old THE ABBOTT is a bit different to many of the Noble Bijou (USA) stock in that he has a turn of speed and isn't a genuine stayer.

The grey's best performances have been at 1,600m to 2,000m and a slow first 1,000m (66.3s) played in his favour.

THE ABBOTT simply idled along at the rear then sustained a powerful burst down the outside.

He's sporting plenty of condition and is going well enough to measure up in welter grade at least.

Big Sir Tristram (Ire) gelding DE LISLE was very stiff.

He stretched out keenly once in the open and gives every indication of managing 2,400m this time in.

Little TAKESHI did a grand job with his 57kg but is very hard to place at present.

RACE 4

WIN number 19 for North Coast sprinter ROUSSALI, owned by the Akubra hats man Steve Keir.

Many of the Salieri (USA) breed are leggy, athletic individuals but not this bloke - he's small and stocky.

That doesn't stop the chestnut running fast. He parked just behind the group of cut-throat leaders, slipped through a gap, then easily withstood the challenge of the late finisher CIRCLE OF FIRE.

A thick set stallion by Innamorato (USA), CIRCLE OF FIRE found the 1,100m a fraction too sharp.

STEEL YARN looked in great shape but threw in one of his old tricks by missing the jump.

RACE 5

HERALD has sweated up before his three starts, yet continually runs big races.

Obviously the son of Al Hareb (USA) doesn't lose a great deal of energy in this state, because he again turned in a rattling finish.

Jamie Innes positioned the juvenile along the fence and the slow first 600m(37.3s) set the race up for horses with a "kick".

Such a horse is HERALD, who accelerated under Innes to match strides with HE'S A BULL from the 200m. HERALD proved the speedier sort, maintaining his advantage with style. He's a very tidy galloper.

WAIKIKAMUKAU is also seeking further. The Clear Choice (USA) gelding drifted back and the moderate pace was a big disadvantage. He zoomed home late.

RACE 6

THERE isn't much of RAINBOW ROAD, a low-slung Luskin Star filly who sat handy through a slow first 600m (37.2s).

This speed made it impossible for the backmarkers.

RAINBOW ROAD, making it three wins in four starts, sat second in the run the staved off all challenges in the stretch. She was knocking up close to the post though, suggesting this will be as far as she goes.

South Coast trainer Kevin Robinson sent out two for the future - CHARICK and MONTESSORI LAD. These two stallions will strip just right when next produced.

RACE 7

LEGGY gelding OUR CALIPH is a big track horse.

The long striding 33-1 pop, racing for the second time since spelling, hurtled down the outside for a strong win. He hadn't won in eight runs prior to this, suggesting he's no good thing to repeat the performance next time out.

Heavily backed BLAZING ANCHOR looked like pulling off the prize but OUR CALIPH had his measure from the 100m.

Favourite SIKHULU ran a mighty raced from the front. He might be better with a sit, while SPIRITUAL STAR, freshened up, caught the eye with his late burst.

RACE 8

INDECENCY, by WA Derby winner Importune, made it four wins in her past five outings when she charged through to score.

Well back at the 1,200m, the chestnut was only a length and a half ahead of THE DRILLER by the time the reached the 800m.

But the filly gradually improved her position closer to the rail, while THE DRILLER lost touch.

Not only is INDECENCY consistent, she also possesses tactical speed through a race. That will continue to take her a long way.

THE DRILLER, a brother to former smart two-year-old Mercury, ran his best race to date. His next win is not far off, possibly even at 2000m.

KNIGHT'S TALE turned in a brave effort. He raced keenly early on and rallied back gamely.

FIVE TO FOLLOW

MARSALA

Fought on well.

MONTESSORI LAD

Went home strongly.