American trainer Kiaran McLaughlin (left, with hat) took to the microphone this morning at the annual Friday morning breakfast conference in the Nad Al Sheba clubhouse and was joined by Australian trainer David Hayes (far right) and Irish jockey John Murtagh (with microphone).
When speaking of Dubai World Cup favorite, Albertus Maximus, McLaughlin seemed more jovial than normal, cracking jokes with the crowd and even poking at Murtagh who will ride the second choice, Asiatic Boy.
I had the pleasure of sitting next to McLaughlin for breakfast prior to the conference and was struck by his light-hearted mood. He was much more on edge when I interviewed him in 2007 prior to his win with Invasor. While a sound technician repeatedly muttered “test, test” into a microphone, about the 27th time, McLaughlin sputtered humorously, “yes, test test, we all hear it just fine.”
Murtagh, meanwhile, hopes to have the measure over McLaughlin in the World Cup with local chance Asiatic Boy. “He’s been great here and gets on real well,” said the jockey who landed three victories in the last three seasons aboard the Boy.
Speaking of his other chances, Murtagh was keen to note that King of Rome (the DubaiRaceNight.com pick in the Dubai Sheema Classic) is really coming into the race well and should move forward for the $5,000,000 prize on Saturday.
“He’s coming along at the right time.”