Mufhasa
February 8th 2009 03:14
Stephen McKee knows what is required to win the prestigious Group One Doncaster Handicap (1600m) - having achieved the task (in collaboration with Trevor) twice with their champion mare Sunline (1999 & 2002).
(photo: Kenton Wright)
McKee has trained the brilliant Mufhasa to another Group One Victory with a win in the Waikato Sprint at 1400m. Mufhasa’s brilliantly won the Group One Telegraph Handicap over 1200m at his previous start. Yesterday at Waikato Mufhasa stepped out over 1400m against a very strong field, and won with ease. It was Mufhasa’s first test at weight-for-age, but the 59kg weight proved no anchor to his trademark acceleration, and when his jockey Samantha Spratt asked Mufhasa for an effort he sprinted well clear of rivals in the straight. As expected pre-race Mufhasa camped outside the pace set by Ruud Van Slaats and used his speed and stamina to perfection.
This was the fifth win in the last six starts for Mufhasa. Mufhasa had twice won over 1600m before Christmas - and was then freshened and returned to the sprinting trips of 1200m & 1400m to build into peaking again for the premier Group One mile. In November 2008 Mufhasa won the Group Two Copeland Bakeries Mile at Riccarton and ran a scintillating 1600m record of 1.32.83. Admittedly the race was run with the assistance of a blustery wind - but once again Mufhasa camped on the speed and would come away for an easy win. His tactical race speed an asset in any situation.
“He’s got to the stage where he has the confidence to bully them out of it, and it takes a good horse to do that.” - Stephen McKee, commenting upon Mufhasa’s ability to stalk - and conquer.
“He makes racing seem easy, what a neat horse. When he goes he just deals to them. He has the most amazing class.” - Samantha Spratt.
Mufhasa is scheduled to have a week to ten days in a paddock to freshen, before being set for the A$2m Doncaster Handicap at Randwick on April 18, with a lead-up race likely to be in New Zealand, or the George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill Gardens a fortnight earlier.
“You just can’t go over there [Australia] and win, and to be fair although he has won a few races right-handed he is more effective left-handed.” - Stephen McKee.
Mufhasa is a 4 year old gelding by Pentire out of Sheila Cheval. Pentire in Australia is considered as primarily a sire of staying stock, but his versatility as a sire is stunning with Group performers by Pentire winning over short, medium, and long trips.
Mufhasa's victory took his record to 11 wins and three placings from 21 starts for earnings in excess of $NZ1.13 million.
The 2009 Waikato Sprint Group One 1400m:
Mufhasa wins Waikato Sprint
(photo: Kenton Wright)
McKee has trained the brilliant Mufhasa to another Group One Victory with a win in the Waikato Sprint at 1400m. Mufhasa’s brilliantly won the Group One Telegraph Handicap over 1200m at his previous start. Yesterday at Waikato Mufhasa stepped out over 1400m against a very strong field, and won with ease. It was Mufhasa’s first test at weight-for-age, but the 59kg weight proved no anchor to his trademark acceleration, and when his jockey Samantha Spratt asked Mufhasa for an effort he sprinted well clear of rivals in the straight. As expected pre-race Mufhasa camped outside the pace set by Ruud Van Slaats and used his speed and stamina to perfection.
This was the fifth win in the last six starts for Mufhasa. Mufhasa had twice won over 1600m before Christmas - and was then freshened and returned to the sprinting trips of 1200m & 1400m to build into peaking again for the premier Group One mile. In November 2008 Mufhasa won the Group Two Copeland Bakeries Mile at Riccarton and ran a scintillating 1600m record of 1.32.83. Admittedly the race was run with the assistance of a blustery wind - but once again Mufhasa camped on the speed and would come away for an easy win. His tactical race speed an asset in any situation.
“He’s got to the stage where he has the confidence to bully them out of it, and it takes a good horse to do that.” - Stephen McKee, commenting upon Mufhasa’s ability to stalk - and conquer.
“He makes racing seem easy, what a neat horse. When he goes he just deals to them. He has the most amazing class.” - Samantha Spratt.
Mufhasa is scheduled to have a week to ten days in a paddock to freshen, before being set for the A$2m Doncaster Handicap at Randwick on April 18, with a lead-up race likely to be in New Zealand, or the George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill Gardens a fortnight earlier.
“You just can’t go over there [Australia] and win, and to be fair although he has won a few races right-handed he is more effective left-handed.” - Stephen McKee.
Mufhasa is a 4 year old gelding by Pentire out of Sheila Cheval. Pentire in Australia is considered as primarily a sire of staying stock, but his versatility as a sire is stunning with Group performers by Pentire winning over short, medium, and long trips.
Mufhasa's victory took his record to 11 wins and three placings from 21 starts for earnings in excess of $NZ1.13 million.
The 2009 Waikato Sprint Group One 1400m:
| 40 |
| Vote |
