Laugh A Minute landed his second win of the Irish turf flat season on Saturday last by claiming the Fitzpatrick´s Mercedes Joe McGrath Handicap in the final stride under our apprentice Adam Caffrey.
The 8yo Mayson gelding was held up in mid-division before Adam pushed him out entering the final 2 furlongs to chase down Harry’s Hill and got up in the final stride to land the horse’s first premier handicap for owners Shamrock Thoroughbreds.
Speaking afterwards, Ado said, “Adam got chinned on the line with Saltonstall this year in the Lincoln, so that was a good reward for him, he gave him a great ride.
He probably ran a little free the last day, on Irish Champions Weekend, and we just said we’d hold on to him a little bit longer and come with one run. He loves the ground as well.
He was in great nick, we hadn’t worked him since he ran the last day but I knew at home he was in good old form. He’s been running solid all year, once he gets his ground. It’s great for him to get a pot.
There is a race in York for him in the middle of October, which he was second in a couple of years ago. He’ll probably go back there as there should be juice in the ground.
I’ve won this Joe McGrath a few times with Bubbly Bellini and Toufan Express. Unfortunately we got 50 or 60 odd thousand then and the prize-money is well down now.
You’d be a bit disappointed and a few of these premier handicaps have been slipping down. These races aren’t easy to win and you usually only win one a year with a horse like this. They are good horses and they should be well able to pay for themselves.”
