Australia: Sample wins another Quilty after battle to the finish line

Gympietimes.com.au - Full Article

11 June 2013

BROOK Sample retained his title as national champion when he was first home to win his seventh Tom Quilty Gold Cup at Kilkivan on Saturday.

Brook, 38, of Kenilworth, completed the five legs of the 160km course in nine hours and 14 minutes.

This is Brook's third Quilty win on Brookleigh Excalibur, a horse he bred himself.

He won by completing the rigorous ride along bush tracks though privately owned pastoral properties.

He also won best conditioned horse and his 13th Quilty Buckle.

In a fast-paced final leg with a galloping finish, Brook and Brookleigh Excalibur crossed the finish line just one-and-a-half lengths ahead of Akhmed Pshunov on Tarrangower Crecendo.

Akhmed, of Imbil, had put in everything, asking his horse to match Brook's over the 18km of the final leg. But, disappointingly, Akhmed's horse was vetted out as lame.

This meant second place went to Brisbane's Stephen Gray on Kasbah Kid, in 10 hours and 17 minutes...

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