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By Mark Brassel

There is no better ‘happy hunting ground’ for seven-year-old Al Mah Haha than his own backyard.

The Goulburn-trained gelding has raced on his home course just twice for wins in last year’s Goulburn Cup and the 2019 South East Racing Association’s Country Championships Qualifier.

Al Mah Haha (Sean Guymer; red & white) narrowly takes out last year's Goulburn Cup from Chat (Tom Sherry). Image by Bradley Photographers

Al Mah Haha will be lining up in this Sunday’s $200,000 Goulburn Soldiers Club Goulburn Cup (1400m) to make it back-to-back victories in the event.

The horse has returned to top form triggered by a fast-finishing second to Love Tap at Kembla Grange (1500m) when a $101 roughie.

He followed that with a game third to Wairere Falls and Bigboyroy at Royal Randwick (1600m) when supported in from $12 to $9.50.

The Goulburn Cup has attracted top-class fields in the past and this year will be no different.

Last year Al Mah Haha accounted for Group 2 winner Chat and Stakes winner Handle the Truth, the latter who is again among the 2021 entries.

The 2018 edition was taken out by the flashy chestnut Quackerjack who went on to claim the Group 2 Villiers Stakes and the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup at Royal Randwick.

“We’re expecting another top-quality field for the Cup next Sunday,” said Goulburn Race Club’s CEO, Robyn Fife. “The course is in magnificent shape and as it is a Racing NSW Country Showcase meeting, we’ll be offering $460,000 in prizemoney.

“And we are appreciative of Goulburn Soldiers Club as they have secured naming rights for the Cup for the first time.

“On-track patronage will be allowed under COVID-19 guidelines as set down by NSW Health and Racing NSW, so anyone with queries or wanting to attend can contact us for more details.”

Supporting events on the eight-race card include the $50,000 Spendthrift Guy Walter (Class 3 for fillies and mares, 1300m), the $50,000 Graeme Spackman Memorial Country Magic (Benchmark 66 Handicap, 1600m) and the $40,000 Country Maiden Showcase Plate over 1200m.

Winning connections of the Spendthrift Guy Walter receive a complimentary nomination for the 2022 breeding season to the stud’s multiple Stakes-winning son of Champion sire I Am Invincible, Overshare.

“In the six years since the inception of Spendthrift Australia, we have continued to strengthen ties within all areas of the local Thoroughbred industry and we are excited to see the further development of this race partnership with Goulburn Race Club,” said Garry Cuddy, GM of Spendthrift Australia.

Nominations for the Goulburn Cup program close at 11am on Tuesday (26th October).

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Tuesday: Grafton
Thursday: Sapphire Coast
Friday: Wagga, Moree
Saturday: Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Tumut (non-TAB)
Sunday: Goulburn, Muswellbrook