Never further back than second in his last six starts, the four-year-old Savabeel gelding Mightybeel received his just reward in Saturday’s Listed Egroup Security Christmas Cup (2400m).
Race favourite Herman Hesse (GB) led them along a solid clip and it was evident a long way out he had he had all but Mightybeel off the bit.
Hugh Bowman on the Chris Waller-trained Mightybeel joined Herman Hesse (GB) at the 200m. The son of Frankel tried to rally but Mightybeel was strong to the line, defeating Herman Hesse (GB) by one and a quarter lengths with Cryptogram (So You Think) a further six and a half lengths back in third.
A last start runner-up in the Listed ATC Cup at Rosehill, Mightybeel advances his record to five wins and four seconds from 13 starts with earnings of $273,455.
“He certainly has been a good performer this preparation, he’s just had a bit of time to strengthen up and the New Zealand horses seem to come into their own once they do mature,” Waller said.
“A nice Hugh Bowman ride, that was a ten out of ten performance from him and it makes it a bit easier when they ride them like that.
“I haven’t thought too much into where he heads next. Today was the first time over 2400m and now that he’s ticked that box we’ll look at something similar no doubt in the next few weeks.”
Mightybeel was a $200,000 purchase by Go Racing from the Little Avondale draft at the 2019 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale.
He is the second foal and first winner out of the unraced Alamosa mare Super Power.
A half-sister to seven winners, Super Power is a half-sister to Group III winner Tantum Ergo and stakes-placed Benediction the dam of twice Australian Horse of The Year Might And Power.
Benediction’s stakes-winning half-sister Bastet (Giant’s Causway) is the dam of Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Beauty Parlour (Deep Impact).
A colt by Time Test (GB) out of Super Power failed to make his $40,000 reserve when offered by Little Avondale Stud at this years Karaka Yearling Sale.
Mightybeel becomes the 123rd stakes-winner for Waikato Stud’s multiple champion stallion Savabeel.