The Mighty One Does It Again

Continuing his excellent jumping record, The Mighty Spar (7 g Savabeel – O’Dianne, by O’Reilly) won the A$60,000 Moredun Hill Steeplechase (3800m) on 27 July at Casterton - with 75kgs to boot! 

Making it four steeplechase wins in a row, and remaining unbeaten in all four starts on the course at Casterton, The Mighty Spar had defended his title in the AC Miller Steeplechase (3800m) there on 29 June, appeared in fine fettle when finishing second in a 1400-metre jump out on 21 July at Cranbourne, and despite carrying top weight (75kg) he brought great form and warranted favourtism.

Ridden as he was last time by gifted jumps' jockey Steven Pateman, The Mighty Spar tracked the two leaders in third, was propelled to race on terms with Fabalot (Camelot) after Pressfal (Sacred Falls) fell with five obstacles remaining, and he asserted dominance after a terrific leap at the 600m. 

Winning by three and a half lengths, on footing rated Heavy8, The Mighty Spar justified the support in paying $2.40 & $1.20 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was another terrific win, gee, he loves the Casterton course,” said Te Akau trainer Mark Walker.

“Great to see him win, even with 75-kilos he was still able to quicken away when he needed to and Steve Pateman is developing a great affinity with him. You could see the respect he has for him when they pulled up over the line, how he gave him a big hug and a pat.

“He’s getting up in the weights now, so we’ll just see how he comes through the race before we make a decision whether he backs up in the Grand National Hurdle and Grand National Steeplechase, but he’s certainly having a fantastic season.”

All going well, The Mighty Spar could join stable-mate Leaderboard in the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) on 3 August at Sandown, and Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) on 17 August at Ballarat. 

Leaderboard, who finished third in the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) and second in the Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) last season, was second in the Thackeray Steeplechase (3450m) on 6 July at Warrnambool, and continued his progress with a nice third in the same recent jump out as The Mighty Spar 21 July at Cranbourne. 

The Mighty Spar was purchased by David Ellis CNZM, from the draft of Waikato Stud, at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale, and is owned by Te Akau 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 12 wins, including seven over fences, eight seconds, and 10 thirds. 

By Group 1 Cox Plate winning three-year-old and ten-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 (Sir Tristram), the sire of Savabeel, and through the sire line of dam-sire O’Reilly (Last Tycoon).

From the Te Akau stable at Cranbourne (Victoria), trainer Mark Walker had six wins and four seconds from 13 starts over fences last season, shared two wins apiece by Prismatic (Savabeel), The Mighty Spar (Savabeel), and Leaderboard (Street Cry), the former Group 3 Wellington Cup and Listed St Leger winner.

And the same protagonists have continued their form again this season, with The Mighty Spar leading the way, while Leaderboard was on song leading up to the Warrnambool Carnival, with wins a week apart in the Open Steeplechase 3250m on 6 April at Ballarat, and the J.E.H. Spencer Memorial Steeplechase (4000m) at Pakenham.

While The Mighty Spar was extending his terrific jumps' record in Australia, on the home front in New Zealand, novice jumper Fierce Flight made it two seconds from his first two starts over hurdles on the same day at Te Aroha. A stakes' winner and twice Group Three placed, among six wins to 2200 metres, Fierce Flight appears very promising in the jumping role and a win at short notice would not surprise. 

The Mighty Spar was strapped by Emma Wilson.