Happy Trails has scored a last-stride win in the Group One Mackinnon Stakes, edging out He’s Your Man in a finish involving two of world racing’s glamour jockeys.
Ridden by Damien Oliver, Happy Trails ($7) got the better of the Joao Moreira-ridden He’s Your Man ($6) to claim a short half-head win in the famous weight-for-age race at Flemington.
English galloper Farraaj ($12) took the minor placing, three-quarters of a length further back.
Trainer Paul Beshara said the win made up for Happy Trails’ luckless passage when sixth in last week’s WS Cox Plate.
“It was an outstanding run (in the Cox Plate) … a champion’s run,” Beshara said.
“I reckon he’s the best weight-for-age horse in Australia, if not the world.”
Farraaj loomed strongly sitting deep without cover but his lead in the straight was short-lived as He’s Your Man and Happy Trails made their runs.
He’s Your Man was being hailed the winner until Oliver produced Happy Trails with his finish.
Happy Trails has now won seven of his 45 starts and his earnings are closing in on $3 million.