Comedy act returns in style after mysterious illness
COMEDY act makes its long-awaited debut at Albion Park on Thursday night, where it runs in Years 4-5, albeit after recovering from a mystery illness.
27 August 2024
COMEDY act makes its long-awaited debut at Albion Park on Thursday night, appearing in a 4th-5th Grade (520 m), but comes into the race after recovering from a mysterious illness.
It dates back to the year when the son of Cosmic Chief and Who Nose Size ran behind Saanvi in the final of the Group 2 Golden Chase (520m) at Ipswich in April.
“After that run he got very, very crooked,” said owner-trainer Mick Johnston.
“We have no idea what it was, but we think it was a bite. We don’t even know what bit him.”
FIELDS AND FORM ALBION PARK THURSDAY NIGHT
Comedy Act’s lips immediately swelled and then he developed throat problems.
“It was all in his throat, his airways,” Mick said.
“It took quite a toll on him, so we decided to give him as much time as he needs to recover.”
That was two months.
Since his comeback, he has started five times and won his last three games, twice at Ipswich and once on a Monday night at Albion Park.
He comes into Thursday night’s race on the back of a win over Group 1 star Blue Hornet, who he beat by almost three lengths at Ipswich last Saturday night.
Blue Hornet holds the Ipswich track record over 520 m.
“He definitely worried us back then,” said Mick.
“But he’s recovered and doing well. And his behavior in the kennel is improving all the time. I think he just goes to the track and wants to do his job.”
Mick has looked at the field of participants for Thursday evening and estimates that Comedy Act will be hard to beat against Two Box.
“That will suit him,” said Mick.
“He hasn’t had much luck with box draws in his career and seems to have lived outside of Box 5.
“It’s time for him to get tested on Thursday evening.”
Comedy Act was a finalist in both the 520m and 431m Golden Chase series and was also a Rising Star in Ipswich.
On Thursday evening he will face a strong field of participants, led by the first-class Zephyr.
“He must have a great chance,” said Mick from Zephyr.
“But he doesn’t seem to be in the starting eleven at Albion Park like he was at Ipswich.”
