3 minute read
Goulburn trainer Kurt Goldman has pledged to donate a percentage of any prizemoney earned should any of his horses gain a start in The Kosciuszko to help raise money for mental health research
The month of September has been dubbed 'Mullet Month' by the Black Dog Institute and in supporting the cause Kurt Goldman has also put his hair behind it vowing to sport his mullet until The Kosciuszko race.
When it comes to The Kosciuszko and supporting charities Goldman has some form, a year ago his runner Intuition raced in special Canberra Raiders silks that were later auctioned for the Ricky Stuart Foundation and given the current climate he felt mental health was a timely cause in 2021.
"It's something I try to do each year and with everything that's going on, lockdowns and increased numbers of people struggling with mental health, there's no better time to get involved,'' Goldman said.
"The race itself is one where we try to incorporate different participants who aren't in the industry with the ticket draw and having a slot holder.
"So you've got to promote yourself a little bit but at the same time you feel like you're doing a good thing for a good cause."
Goldman has earmarked last start winner Ruthless Agent and Irish Songs, who finished eighth in The Kosciuszko last year, as his major hopes for being involved in 2021.
Ruthless Agent downed Country Championships runner-up Another One in the Ian Reid Sprint (1200m) at Wagga last month in a performance Goldman said should earn him serious consideration for the $1.3m race on TAB Everest Day.
"He probably wasn't in calculations but he beat a pretty smart field at Wagga the other day,'' he said.
"I watch a lot of the races leading into The Kosciuszko and on what I've been seeing lately I think Ruthless Agent can put his hand up and run in a race like that this year.
"A lot of horses that are favourite in the market we haven't seen for a long time."
Both Goldman hopes are $51 in the TAB's all-in Kosciuszko market but in the case of Irish Songs he was only beaten two lengths in a Group 3 race in Melbourne at his latest start a month ago.
The six-year-old is scheduled to race at Kembla Grange this Saturday.
"He ran a huge race last time, the horse is flying at the moment. He's had a couple of trips down to Melbourne and has been racing well there in strong stakes company,'' he said.
"He'll run in a Benchmark 88 race and I think he will acquit himself very well, hopefully someone picks him."
For details on Kurt Goldman's fundraiser check his Facebook and Twitter pages.
The $5 Kosciuszko tickets are available via TAB until 11.59pm on Tuesday (September 7) and the 14 winners drawn have the opportunity to select a horse to run in the $1.3 million race and share in the prizemoney their horse earns.
As it happens, the Kosciuszko ticket draw on Thursday 9th September coincides with RUOK Day.
