MM Country Cup winner Irish Constabulary didn't begin racing until he was seven
Irish Constabulary, who didn’t begin racing until he was seven, has earned a crack at stakes company with a dominant win at the Gold Coast.
By taking out Saturday’s $250,000 Magic Millions Country Cup (1400m) Irish Constabulary ($10) gave jockey Micheal Hellyer one of his biggest wins when he sprinted hard from back in the field.
It was Hellyer’s only ride at the Gold Coast and the journeyman jockey then headed off to drive 120 kilometres to ride at Toowoomba.
“My dad died 18 months ago and I promised him I would ride a big race winner for him. It wasn’t a big one but it was a winner on Magic Millions day,” Hellyer said.
“When I crossed the line I pointed to the sky for Dad.”
Irish Constabulary has been the mainstay for the training partnership of Sheila Laxon and John Symons since they moved to Queensland from Victoria in April.
The gelding was the subject of an ownership dispute and didn’t have his first start until a Yarra Glen Maiden on November 28, 2015.
But since coming to Queensland, the now eight-year-old has won six times, taking his overall prize money to just under $250,000.
Symons said Irish Constabulary could start in the Sunshine Coast Sprint over 1400m in two weeks.
“But we might put him away and bring him back for a shot at some stakes races in the winter,” he said.
“A lot of people think he is just a wet tracker but he is as good as any on a dry track.”
