by Duane Ranger
Cheryl Rasmussen isn’t getting too carried away with the unbeaten Speech is Silver, but she’s more than happy that she bought into the lightly tried, but talented, 4-year-old.
“I hardly get to the track these days. I enjoy watching them on TV, and he’s now going to make my Saturday night viewing even more enjoyable. Kylie has got him going along well,” Rasmussen said.
Speech Is Silver, who is trained by Rasmussen’s daughter, Kylie, at Stanmore, is unbeaten in two Albion Park starts – the latter impressively by 5.3 metres with a slick 1:53.9 mile rate (2,138m mobile) on Tuesday (August 13).
"I bought him not long after he was sold at the Yearling Sales in Auckland. I liked the Mach Threes. He came up for sale at Mark's (Purdon) stable and via Natalie (daughter) I decided to take a share with Phil and Glenys Kennard," Rasmussen said.
The Kennards, who owned dual New Zealand Cup winner, Lazarus, paid $17,500 for Speech Is Silver at the 2016 Australasian Classic Yearling Sale at Karaka in South Auckland.
The Mach Three gelding is the first foal out of the 2014 Grinfromeartoear mare, Silence Is Golden. She was bred by Dr Tony Parker (South Auckland), and hails from the same family as multiple Group One winning pacers, Auckland Reactor and Devil Dodger.
“The horse came over with Self Assured, Jesse Duke, and Princess Tiffany when Mark (Purdon) came over for the Winter Carnival. That’s when Kylie got him. Mark and Natalie trained him.
“He’s a lovely horse. Vic (husband) gets down to the stables and helps Kylie, but I haven’t seen the horse yet. I’m just happy he’s settled in well and going okay,” Delanyes Creek-based Rasmussen said.
After qualifying at Addington Raceway in March 2017, Speech is Silver, then had three races in New Zealand between March 25 and November November 2, 2018.
The bay won his middle assignment at Addington Raceway on October 19, 2018 by almost four lengths as the $1.80 favourite.
"He's fit and well now and I personally like horses that have needed time to develop. I'm sure this fella can only get better with racing. He's rising five and only had five starts. Kylie is very happy with him," Rasmussen said.
Speech Of Silver took no time settling into Australia winning both of his trials at Albion Park on July16 and 23, and then winning first-up by 7.3 metres as the $1.06 hot favourite at ‘The Creek’ on July 30. He paced a 1:56.2 mile rate that day.
Speech Is Silver is still nicely assessed and he’s no superstar, yet, but Rasmussen does know all about champion pacers. She owned one of the greatest ever – Blacks A Fake.
“I enjoy owning horses because I enjoy watching them on TV. I have been to hundreds of meetings over the years and I still enjoy watching the family and our horses going around.
“I also own Major Cam (20 wins and $173,055) and I’m enjoying his races as well,” Rasmussen said.
Speech Is Silver’s brief career now boasts five starts for three wins, two seconds, and $19,072.