Pittsburgh booked a place in the field for the $160,000 Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) with a big win on the opening day of the Albury Gold Cup carnival on Sunday.
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Canberra jockey Kayla Nisbet produced a brilliant ride to guide Pittsburgh ($5.50) to victory in the $40,000 Barlens Albury Mile (1600m).
Nisbet saved ground on Pittsburgh as others fanned wide in the straight and the four-year-old Fastnet Rock gelding exploded through an opening at the 200 metre mark to race away and win.
The feature win gives Pittsburgh exemption from the ballot in the Wagga Gold Cup on May 4.
In a turnaround on last week’s Corowa Cup, Pittsburgh beat Nagging, with Albury gelding Supply Money third.
Pittsburgh is now likely to back up in Friday’s $180,000 Albury Gold Cup (2000m).
Meantime, Albury trainers enjoyed success on their home track on Sunday.
Rob Wellington, Kym Davison and Garry Worsnop all enjoyed wins.
Nevada Dane ($31) took out the Maiden Plate (1000m) on debut for Wellington, while Davison’s Fat Impacta ($13) finished strongly to take out the Maiden Handicap (1400m).
Arguably the most impressive win on the day came from Nothin’ Like Harry ($1.20) in the Class One & Maiden Plate (2000m).
The exciting three-year-old took his record to two wins and a close second from three starts when he scored an easy 2½ length win.
Former Albury trainer Brett Cavanough made his return a winning one when Bray ($3.30) took out the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m).
Gundagai trainer David Blundell also enjoyed success as former Cavanough galloper Short scored a tough two-length win in the Class One Handicap (1500m).