Weidemann is certainly no stranger to winning Group, Oaks or Listed races - she’s won about 20 of them in her 3000-win career.
However, she rated Shazam Shannon’s win in last year’s Ekka Show Grand Final Pace at the Brisbane Showgrounds equal to any Group or Listed win.
“I just like racing on Show and rural tracks, I’m a country girl and was raised on the Shows,” Weidemann said.
“That’s why the Marburg and this Listed race will always be very special to me.”
She actually thought last year’s Ekka champ would have been the horse to beat in the Oakwood Capital – that was up until the draws came out.
“It was always going to be hard for him to win from five, and 20 metres behind,” Weidemann.
“I’m just pleased for our family that Ghost Gum won, he’s just a little fella we bred out of the late chestnut mare we used to race named Eagle Street.
“She won 13 races and has left six foals, with Ghost Gum being her first winner.
“The plan was to lead all the way, but he just got us, it was a well-timed drive by Lachie.”
She said she had only got to know Menzelmann when he re-located back to Queensland last year after having formerly worked for Shane and Lauren Triton in Sydney.
“I’ve known Lachie’s Dad (John) since he was a little fella,” Weidemann said.
“He’s a racing friend from way back, and he told me if his boy ever came back to Queensland to look after him.
“He’s a lovely kid and a promising young driver and he did exactly what was asked of him at Marburg - I like him because he listens.”
Manzelmann, who was having his first drive back from a suspension, had big praise for a woman he termed the ‘back bone and heart and soul’ of harness racing in Queensland.
“Lola travels so many miles and does so much for harness racing that I’m just so proud to win any race for her let alone a Listed one,” Manzelmann said.
“I’ve won Group races before but this one was special because it was a Listed race at Marburg.
“Not only because Lola and her family live not too far away, but because the track also means a lot to me as well - I love driving there and always have.
“Ghost Gum kept finding when I asked him to, he displayed a bit of toughness even though we sat in the trail.
“That win also took his earnings past $100,000 so I’m rapt for the whole Weidemann family.
“It was awesome to win, Lola has backed me a lot lately and I’m extremely grateful for that.”
Ghost Gum has now won 19 of his 232 starts, and placed 51 times for $113,016.
The grey gelding paced the 2,200 metre stand in 2:48.2, equating to a 2:03.1 mile rate.
His sectionals were 30.3, 31.2, 29.3, and home in 30.3.