Racing: Doctor soothes Suave team

AFTER two desperately disappointing days, Cash Asmussen's luck turned at last in Chicago yesterday with victory on Dear Doctor in the Arlington Million. On Friday it was announced that Suave Dancer, Asmussen's Arc winner of 1991, would never race again and on Saturday his hope for the Longchamp race this year, Seattle Rhyme, was comprehensively defeated at Kempton.

The Million success also provided a measure of compensation for Suave Dancer's trainer, Chantilly-based John Hammond, and owner, Henri Chalhoub. 'After the disappointment with Suave Dancer, the sun has shone again,' Chalhoub said.

Dear Doctor, who started at 14- 1, had to work for his success and caught Sky Classic, the Canadian-trained favourite, only in the last few strides to win by a head. Golden Pheasant was a neck further away in third and France's Exit To Nowhere fourth.

The challengers from Newmarket made little impression. Luca Cumani's Second Set was always in mid-division and finished eighth, whie Paul Kelleway's John Rose was tailed-off in last place.

Britain's runner in the Beverly D Stakes at Arlington on Saturday fared rather better. The durable Ruby Tiger, who has already won in five countries, produced another classy performance to finish second to Kostroma, who is part- owned by Robert Sangster. The pounds 53,191 she collected pushed her earnings past the pounds 500,000 barrier.

Sheikh Mohammed speaks of the need for a concerted effort to help the racing industry in Panorama on BBC1 at 9.30pm. The programme, entitled 'For Fools And Horses?', investigates the cash crisis affecting the sport.