Laser Show lights up Al Bastakiya Trial

Laser Show produced a remarkable performance when storming to a comprehensive victory in the extended nine-furlong Al Bastakiya Trial on dirt at Meydan, UAE, on Thursday, 23 January.

The three-year-old New Approach colt, wearing a first-time visor after disappointing in the UAE 2,000 Guineas Trial, raced in a close third on the outside of Lost In Time and First View as the Saeed bin Suroor-trained trio led the field.

Laser Show travelled well under Kevin Stott and loomed up to hit the front turning in. He readily kicked away from his rivals, establishing a commanding advantage in the straight before being eased near the line for a four and a half-length verdict.

His trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: “The visor made a difference to Laser Show because he wasn’t really interested or focused in the Guineas Trial.

“This trip suited him well but we have the G3 UAE 2,000 Guineas (Thursday, 6 February) back over a mile to consider. I think we will have to try again over that trip, especially with the visor, and then we can take him to the G2 UAE Derby (Saturday, 28 March) afterwards.”

Kevin Stott said: “I think the combination of a step up in trip and first-time visor have made a difference for Laser Show.

“We were a bit slowly away last time, got a lot of kickback, and he was never really travelling at all, but he would have learnt a lot from that. Today, up in trip with the visor on, I got him out and was able to sit three-deep on the track with no kickback.

“I thought we were going pretty quick down the back, but I still had plenty of horse under me turning in. I thought if I kicked and got a few lengths on them, he might just stay on, and fair play to the horse because he has won really well.

“He will get further. It will be interesting to see what Saeed and the team want to do, but I can see him stepping up in trip.”