MACKAY’s John Manzelmann was almost reduced to tears on Saturday, just minutes after his success in the $70,000 TAB Birdsville Cup (1600m).
Ridden by Darling Downs apprentice Sam Pointon, the Manzelmann-owned Raetihi won the famous Outback race from Hello World and Testator Silens.
Manzlemann, as a trainer, also won last year’s feature event at Birdsville with The Driller, albeit under bizarre circumstances.
Testator Silens, owned by more than a dozen people including State of Origin legend Chris ‘Choppy’ Close and Diamantina Shire Council Mayor Francis Murray, was originally crowned the winner but disqualified several weeks later after returning a positive swab, meaning the trophy would go to Manzelmann.
He told 4RR-FM in Birdsville that winning the 2026 event was extra special after his father, a Mackay icon known as ‘Ginger’, had passed away late last year.
“He’d be smiling for sure,” said Manzelmann, battling to hold back tears, barely a week after winning last month’s $100,000 Cairns Newmarket with Red Hot Lizzie and then getting a third placing the following day with Journalism in the $150,000 Red Beret Hotel Cairns Cup (2100m).
In the past 12 months, Manzlemann has handed over his highly successful Rocket Lodge stable to son Lachie, who’s now making his own mark as a trainer.
“He (Lachie) gave me the best news ever last week. He’s having a little baby,” explained the uncle of NRLW star Emma Manzelmann.
“He (Ginger) was my biggest supporter and hopefully, I can be the same for Lachie.”
PHOTO: Sky Racing’s Ben Way interviews John Manzelmann after his success in Saturday’s $70,000 TAB Birdsville Cup (1600m).
POSTED: Monday, September 7, 2026