Partnered by picnic racing’s newest kid on the block, former champion apprentice Luke Morgan, Linga Longa fought back in the straight to win narrowly for bed-ridden Quirindi trainer Ian Symons.

Morgan, who won earlier with Trevor Smith’s Cassonade, said runner-up Interjo had gained a winning advantage halfway down the straight but Linga Longa fought back impressively.

“I reckon Interjo got close to half a length in front of me at the 150m,” Morgan said.

“We were rocking along for a fair way and I just kept kidding to him and kidding to him.

“About half a mile from home I started slapping him up and he just kept giving.

“I thought I was going to box on and run second and at the 100m I sat down and really got to work.

“He fought on really well and kicked back,” he said.

“I thought on the line I’d won it – it was pretty tight – and he got his head down just in time.

“It was a strong win and horses like him are very few and far between.”

Linga Longa, a heavily-backed even-money favourite, prevailed by a half-head from Interjo (5/4) with Dezirabeel ($2.80) 10 lengths away third.

It was Linga Longa’s 14th career win – and sixth cup after collecting bush features at Young (2005), Tumut (2006) and last year at Narrabri, Wellington and Gunnedah.

Morgan, having his first ride on the old warhorse, had made an SOS call to veteran hoop Danny Frahm, who won the Gunnedah Cup on the gelding.

“I’d never ridden the horse before but when I’d ridden against him he was always a hard horse to get past,” Morgan said.

“I rang Danny the night before and he told me to a tee how to ride him.

“Dan said don’t try and ease him up, don’t ask for an easy lead, just let him bowl along and do it himself – I have to thank Dan for that,” he said.

With trainer Ian Symons laid up at home battling a virus, race-day duties were left to partner Rachel Wotzlaw, who said Linga Longa was closing in on well-earned retirement.

“He’s been a great horse for us but I’d say he’ll probably retire soon. He’s starting to feel the arthritis a bit,” Wotzlaw said.

“Unfortunately Ian’s home sick but he’ll be rapt.

“We were never really confident because it’s hard to tell sometimes with Linga Longa. If he wants to win he’ll win but if he doesn’t, he doesn’t.

“He fights all the way and loves to lead and I can’t believe he’s won – I’m just over the moon,” she beamed.

For more stories and photographs from the Mallawa picnic races see page 19.