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Horsham gelding Magic Consol has set a track record on the way winning back-to-back Horsham Cups.
Celebrations will be long for the connections of the seven-year-old that was trained, ridden and owned by Horsham connections.
For jockey Holly McKechnie it was a sixth win in her hometown cup.
“It’s a wonderful feeling,” she said.
“It’s great for our team and for Paul.
“It’s nice because it’s your home town cup and you want win and we’ve done it.”
The cup was the second last race on a day when weather conditions could not have been much better.
Coming into the race bookies had installed Profit Share, Patch Adams and Magic Consol as favourites.
But not even bees setting up hive 50 metres from the finishing post could stop the hometown favourite winning from Puccini and Patch Adams, trained by Stawell’s Terry and Katrina O’Sullivan.
McKechnie was quick to downplay her achievement in win another cup.
“As I said before winning any race is a good thing,” she said.
“It’s really, really hard to win any race let alone a cup.
“I’ve been extremely lucky with my horses that I’ve ridden in the Horsham Cup because they suit the race.”
Prior to the race McKenchnie was reluctant to let her plan be known but said the race unfolded how she wanted to an extent.
“I didn’t think he’s pull quite as hard as he did,” she said.
“Thank goodness he still had a let go.
“He’s a fantastic horse, he just puts in every time he goes around and we’re very fortunate to have him.”
Magic Consol’s Horsham trainer Paul Preusker agreed the race went to plan.
“A good solid horse in Sandhill Chief sent a good temp which pretty much gave a good run throughout,” he said.
“It all unfolded well from there.
"It’s great for Holly and its just good to win your home town cup.
“It give the local a bit more hope as well if they get the right horse and it can be done."
Prior to the race Preusker had said his focus for Magic Consol had been getting a win in Melbourne but was still very happy with the win.
"This is my Melbourne Cup and any win is a good win," he said.
“I’d really like to thank the committee here at Horsham and the track curator Jimmy.
“We just get so much access to the track as local trainers.
“Normally with home town meetings you’re off the track but we’ve been right on right up to the date.
“That’s a huge help.”
Magic Consol is owned by Horsham’s Peter McFarlane and Barbara Marshmann.
McFarlane said it was fantastic to go back-to-back.
“It’s a bit emotional actually,” he said.
“It’s good for Paul, good for Holly, good for the horse, the staff and it’s good for the locals to get a win.
“We were looking at racing him on Melbourne Cup day but that was going to be a bit tough for him, but to win the local cup after he was passed on is great.”