WHEN three-year-old Laughing Heir emerged triumphant with a last-stride win in the National Hall of Fame Maiden over 1200 metres in Launceston today, it realised a plan that was six months in the making.
The Paul Maher-trained gelding ran down another first-starter Zero Point over the final 100 metres to score by a short half-head with race leader Need a Queen clinging to third well clear of Trophy Legs.
Laughing Heir landed in Maher’s stable about a year ago as an unruly two year old that was considered a problem horse by his previous owners in Victoria.
“It’s fair to say this horse had a few issues when he came to us but with some help from others and giving him plenty of time to develop we now have a three year old that promises to be a very good horse,” Maher said.
Talented Hobart-based trainer-breaker Royston Carr played a dominant role with correcting the horse’s barrier manners that cost apprentice Shiralee Maher seven weeks out of the saddle after being dumped by the Street Boss gelding during one of his preparations.
But despite doing many things wrong in the race he still emerged triumphant, which encouraged jockey Siggy Carr to predict a bright future.
“He has a bit to learn and I don’t know that he was all that comfortable on the soft ground at his first start but he still found a way to win and that’s a sign of a horse going places,” Carr said.
Listen to what trainer Paul Maher and jockey Siggy Carr had to say about Laughing Heir’s win on debut in Launceston today.
Watch Laughing Heir’s winning run in race 1 today here:
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