Goulburn trainer Danny Williams was left “speechless and stunned” as the five-year-old chestnut gelding beat 2017 winner and stablemate Pumpkin Pie to take the Country Championships’ local qualifier on February 24.

“I had too many horses in the race to see them all,” Williams said post-race, having entered 10.

“If this was the only runner, I would have been in tears, I hold such an affinity for the horse ... and [owner] June Baker.”

Williams is known for his patience and prowess, but less so for his once-shattered pelvis and injuries that needed a metal plate and pins inserted as a result of a terrible accident during his first ride of Kopi Luwak.

That was three years ago this month. Later the same year, the horse broke down with tendon problems.

“I can’t believe this horse has done what he’s done after the injuries he sustained [in 2015],” Williams said.

He thanked the Goulburn District Race Club for its “great track and facilities” and gave special thanks to his staff, “who have worked tirelessly to get every horse as good as they were today”.

“The time put into Kopi Luwak is amazing … he is iced every day, his feet are bandaged, he’s manicured. He’s looked after more than a sheik!” Williams said.

He also thanked Baker “for all of her support over the years … June came into my stables and ever since then, I’ve been on a roll.”

He and Baker both praised the South East Racing Association’s (SERA) Country Championships, calling it a “lifeline to country racing” and “an absolutely fantastic initiative,” respectively.

Baker said Kopi Luwak “was always a magnificent animal who brought high hopes and it’s taken Danny, a masterful trainer, to get the horse back to what he is today”.

Jockey Mitchell Bell said he felt lucky to be a late recruit as colleague Rory Hutchings was over weight.

Second place-getter and 2017 winner Pumpkin Pie, ridden by Bobby El-Issa, is also a Williams-Baker horse.

Williams’ Acquittal ran third, but it is the first two that will now run on to the final at Royal Randwick on April 7.

If either horse is first home, the Goulburn Post has nominated Legacy for a $5000 donation from the TAB.

Track: Good, 3-4

RACE 1 Bay of Modena

RACE 2 Parlay Vous

RACE 3 Ardanza

RACE 4 Hands Off

RACE 5 El Mo

RACE 6 Can She Kiss

RACE 7 Kopi Luwak

RACE 8 Legendofoz