3 minute read

Goulburn galloper Al Mah Haha has given local trainer Tash Burleigh one of her biggest thrills in racing with his stirring Goulburn Cup win yesterday.

A horse whose lack of luck in recent times has been well documented finally cracked it in the $200,000 race on his home track.

Burleigh has seen 'Big Al' scratched at the gates in the 2019 Country Championships, get beaten a short head in this year's edition of the same race and finish close up in this year's Kosciuszko.

Few would disagree with Burleigh's sentiments after the race when she spoke to Sky Racing.

"He really did deserve that," Burleigh said.

Burleigh went on to add that she just loves the tenacity of her stable pin up.

"He toughed it out and fought on, he's just so honest. It's just really nice he got this reward today!"

It took every inch of the long Goulburn straight for Al Mah Haha and Shaun Guymer to find the breathing space they needed to win yesterday's Goulburn Cup.

Al Mah Haha bobbed where it mattered to take out the tablelands feature in a thrilling photo finish from Chat (John Thompson / Tom Sherry).

Guymer toughed it out as well to get the horse home.

Those on track would have seen him doing his best Rocky Balboa impersonation earlier in the day trudging laps of Goulburn's inside tracks clad in hoodies, track suit and beanie to keep his weight spot on come weigh in.

The rescheduled Goulburn Cup program proved a red-letter day for Goulburn trainers. Emma & Lucy Longmire broke a run of outs when Newtown Braveheart scored in Race 2.

Goulburn trainers then delivered the trifecta in the Graeme Spackman Country Magic led in by the Danny William's trained Rent A Rock, ahead of Zarafah (Emma & Lucy Lognmire) and Vee Eight (Sue Laughton).

Pete Robl's genuine mare Miss Twilight emphasized "Twilight" as racing's word of the week when she took out the Spendthrift Guy Walter to close the day.

Goulburn will host its Christmas Cup race day on Friday 18th December.