By JEFF HANSON (NSW and Country Racing)
For punters astute enough to find the winner of the 2025 Tumbarumba Cup (1400m), they sang a merry song when the Andrew Dale-trained Mojo Music prevailed in a thrilling four-way finish.
Taking on the $18,000 feature on the undulating Tumbarumba racecourse, there were a handful of winning chances, and bookmakers had them at $3.80 the field.
Setting a hot tempo in the early stages was the Craig Weeding-trained Controversial Miss (Justin Stanley, $5.50), which led from local hope Namarari (Jess Brookes, $13) for trainer Mont Waters.
Turning for home, it appeared Controversial Miss had done enough, leading into the home straight, but out wide, two fellow Wangaratta gallopers flooded home.
Splitting Controversial Miss and fast-finishing stablemate Fox Appeal (Sarah McDonough) was Mojo Music, who delivered Billy Owen his first success in the Tumbarumba Cup.
It was a frantic finish, with a nose separating Mojo Music and runner-up Fox Appeal, while a head away was a game Controversial Miss.
Mojo Music is now an eight-time winner while also running 21 minor placings during his 55-start career.
The six-year-old is a consistent type, with his earnings just shy of $230,000, and connections will get a chance to win more at Holbrook on Saturday, February 15.
This year, Tumbarumba Turf Club and Holbrook and District Race Club came together to offer a $4000 cash bonus to the connections of any horse good enough to win both feature races.
With the $4000 bonus in the offing, Dale and connections are setting the Outreach gelding for the 1400m feature, which also carries a $15,000 prizemoney purse.
Saturday’s result was also notable for Owen, who had his first rides in 2025.
A talented jockey and proud Gundagai product who last year landed his 400th career win when triumphing in the Queanbeyan Cup on Just Go Bang, Owen is always a popular commodity when racing on the country circuit.
