THERE was a time when El Mo was one of the unluckiest horses in Gayna Williams' stable, but now he's had a very big change in fortune - he will run in the world's richest race for country-trained horses.
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On Friday Bathurst trainer Williams got the news she had been hoping for, El Mo was selected to run in the $1.3 million The Kosciuszko.
Every runner in the 1,200 metre sprint earns its spot by being nominated by a winner of the Kosciuszko sweepstakes. There were just two of the 14 spots remaining when the Port Macquarie Hotel Syndicate elected to go with the six-year-old Bathurst gelding.
"We're very, very chuffed to be a part of it. I was not so much nervous, more resigned to the fact of what will be will be and if it doesn't happen we will find another race somewhere," Williams said.
"I was very, very excited and relieved. We were down the bottom but it doesn't matter, he's there nonetheless.
"He has had his share of setbacks coming into a couple of those big races, the championships, so the pressure is on now, we just have to try and keep him in one piece and get him there.
"There's a few more sleepless nights ahead."
As Williams indicated, El Mo has not always had things go his way.
Last year El Mo wound up as the first emergency for the The Kosciuszko, while a foot abscess ruled him out of this year's Central Districts Country Championships.
He had missed the same Country Championships series in 2019 after a freak eye injury.
Had El Mo enjoyed better luck his career record of five wins and six minor placings from 15 starts could have been much better.
Still, Williams always felt that the Uncle Mo x My Cookie Monster gelding was up to the standard of the The Kosciuszko and she was delighted when the Port Macquarie syndicate agreed.
The trainer said she is most pleased for El Mo's owner June Baker.
"I was more so happy for the owner than anything, she's been wonderful and very, very tolerant, patient - every positive thing you could say about her she's it," Williams said.
"She doesn't tell you how to do your job, she is just fantastic."
Given El Mo's best career form is second-up - he's won three from three - Williams is planning to start the gelding at Canterbury this Wednesday as his lead in run for the October 17 The Kosciuszko.
After that it is fingers crossed the good luck keeps coming.
"His best form is his second up form, first up form he needs a bit of improvement," she said. "He'll get a run under his belt and hopefully get to the line and pull up well then we can tick things over until the 17th."
