Te Akau Australia Steeples' Quinella

Showing his liking for the course, The Mighty Spar (7 g Savabeel – O’Dianne, by O’Reilly) jumped flawlessly in winning the A$80,000 Ecycles Two Rivers Steeplechase (3800m) on 18 May at Casterton, Victoria.

Capping consecutive steeplechase victories when winning the WC & AC Miller Steeplechase (3800m) by five and a half lengths on the course last season, The Mighty Spar had raced handily and rallied well for seventh in the Brierley Steeplechase (3450m) on 29 April at Warrnambool, and along with stable-mate Prismatic (Savabeel) was well supported in betting.  

As it turned out, the market was correct and the Mark Walker trained pair finished first and second at the completion of clearing 20 fences. 

Ridden by Steven Pateman, The Mighty Spar was handy in the initial stages, elected to lead when $2.90 second favourite Custom Of The Sea (Soldier Of Fortune) raced erratically in front, was right at home on the multidirectional course with quite a few live brush fences, and raced clear after sailing over the final obstacle. 

There was also a kangaroo bounding across the field just to make matters more interesting!

Commentator Rick McIntosh said: “The Mighty Spar has donkey-licked them and he continues the great jumping record of the stable”.

It was also a very good effort by Prismatic, ridden by Will Gordon, who let things unfold before moving to third at the 800m and he chased hard for second. 

But it was all about The Mighty Spar ($2.80), who scored by scored by seven lengths and made it three of four jumps' wins in Steeplechases. 

“It’s quite a unique course, you don’t often see a kangaroo, mid-race, getting out of the way and jumping the outside fence, but it was a terrific display of jumping and a lovely ride by Steve Pateman,” Walker said.

“It was good to see The Mighty Spar bounce back to winning form and he’s now two from two on the course, where the live fences certainly agree with him.

“He’s a horse that once he gets the right conditions he was able to kick on in front and he’s such a clever jumper which is what won him the race.”

The Mighty Spar was purchased by David Ellis CNZM, from the draft of Waikato Stud, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, and owned by the Te Akau 2019 Karaka Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

A great campaigner to be involved in, since powering home from last to win his Maiden over 1400 metres as a three-year-old at Matamata, The Mighty Spar has now registered nine wins, eight seconds, and 10 thirds, with A$284,135 in stake earnings.

By Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) winning three-year-old and nine-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), who 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 (Sir Tristram), the sire of Savabeel, and through the sire line of dam-sire O’Reilly (Last Tycoon).

The Mighty Spar was strapped by Emma Wilson. 

Photo credit - RV Racing Photos