Saga Bolton and Rory Cleary© Photo Healy Racing
There was a clean-sweep of successful claims for the placed horses in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Claiming Race at Dundalk today as winner Saga Bolton tonight prepares to move house for the third time in seven days, having won for rookie trainer Barry Fitzgerald.
Saga Bolton, a son of Intense Focus, was a three-time winner for previous trainer Tony Mullins and having finished 15th in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse on Saturday, subsequently changed hands privately to join owner Nicola Griffin and trainer Barry Fitzgerald.
Saga Bolton was entered to run in today's race on Monday and having dangled a E5,000 asking-price today, the eight year old was subsequently claimed by Padraig Hassett to be trained by Brian McMahon.
In the race Saga Bolton, under Rory Cleary, proved a length and three parts too strong for Secret Wizard
Trainer Fitzgerald, who received his license last July, got off the mark as a trainer at the Co Louth venue with Beauchamp Bagenal last Friday and following his latest success, stated “I only have him five days so it's a quick turnaround for him. Nicola Griffin bought him last week and I got a phone call on Monday to come and collect him.
“Hopefully he's not claimed now because we're still only learning about him. We could have good fun up here with him because all his form is at Dundalk.
“If he is claimed we'll pick up another horse for the owner next week again.
“Rory said he'll get further and could step up again.
“It's good to get another winner under my belt so quick.”
Runner-up Secret Wizard was later claimed for E10,000 by the Trump Syndicate to be trained by Conor O'Dwyer, while third-placed Sayesse was claimed for E12,000 by Shauna Kelly to be trained by Noel Kelly.
Quotes from Gary Carson
