Kath Bell-Pitomac had only just entered the mounting yard after Old Harbour won a heartstopping Central Districts Newhaven Park Country Championships Qualifier (1400m) at Mudgee when the tears started to flow.

Australia’s longest apprenticeship will finally end in June for Kath Bell-Pitomac and the icing on the cake would be to win today’s Newhaven Park Country Championships Qualifier at Mudgee (1400m).