5 Matamata Wins - The Mighty Spar Marvellous
Date: 14 May 2022
Making it five wins on the programme for trainer Mark Walker, The Mighty Spar (4 g Savabeel - O'Dianne, by O'Reilly) charged home in the $12,000 Pearson Rating 74 2000 metres on 13 May at Matamata.
While stepping up to a middle distance for the first time caused some doubt, it was more the potential of a narrowly avoided incident that could have put paid to his chances.
Te Akau apprentice Joe Kamaruddin, recording his third winner on the day, did well to negate barrier 11 in finding a midfield position but had to evade near disaster when runners concertinaed in front of him 500m out. Virtually stopped in his tracks, The Mighty Spar then did well to regain his momentum and really stretched out like a budding staying prospect.
Kamaruddin extended his leading apprentice tally to 59, and 11 clear for former Te Akau apprentice Wiremu Pinn.
On footing that remained Soft5 throughout the day, The Mighty Spar ran 2000 metres in 2:03.9, last 600m in 36.9, and paid $3.70 & $1.60 on NZ TAB tote.
“Joe got him into a lovely spot, but he received checks at the 800m and 600m where he all but fell, and it was a huge effort to get up and win,†Walker said.
“We had to find out whether or not he would handle 2000 metres and he's shown that he can. We actually put him over a few of the big hurdles prior to this race and he can really jump too.
“We'll probably give him a spell now, with the knowledge of where we might be able to aim him next season.â€
It was the second course win for The Mighty Spar, who powered home to win over 1400 metres as a three-year-old at Matamata, and now boasts three firsts, seconds, and thirds for the Te Akau 2019 Karaka Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), after being purchased by David Ellis CNZM from the draft of Waikato Stud, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale.
“He's a horse we really liked as a yearling, an outstanding looking individual,†Ellis said. “It was another impressive win today by a horse that's just needed a bit of time and I'm thrilled for his owners, who include some of our closest friends.
“That was Mark's 18thwinner in six weeks, since he's been back in New Zealand, so congratulations to him and all the team. He's done a great job in picking it all up again and I'm just so proud of him.
“He's a really nice son of Savabeel, The Mighty Spar, and I can see him being a very good stayer next season. He's still got a lot of strengthening to do but should do really well for a break, and the way he won today certainly shows the potential he has.
“Another great day for Joe (Kamaruddin) and it's quite incredible how much his riding has improved this season.
“It was a beautiful ride. He got him one off the fence from an outside draw, had to avoid trouble, and got the horse up to win.
“He's such a good person and is very popular with everybody in the stable. He's a happy young guy, always smiling, has a great attitude and it's just so pleasing to see all his hard being rewarded in the winner's circle.â€
By Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) winning three-year-old and six-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), who has proved himself one of the most versatile stallions in Australasia, The Mighty Spar has a lovely cross of immortal sire Northern Dancer on the dam side of Zabeel, sire of Savabeel, and through the sire line of dam sire O'Reilly.
Accepting spoils on behalf of the owners, Jim Hepburn thanked both the racing club and the sponsor, and said: “Thanks to Mark (Walker) and Sam (Bergerson), who have picked up from where Jamie (Richards) left off, and everything is rolling along nicely for the stableâ€.
The Mighty Spar was strapped by Reece Trumper.
Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz
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