Mightybeel (NZ) Captures Christmas Cup

Savabeel stayer Mightybeel (NZ) capped a consistent spring with a well-deserved first stakes win in Saturday’s A$140,000 Listed Egroup Security Christmas Cup (2400m) at Randwick.

Bought by highly successful syndicators Go Racing for $200,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2019, Mightybeel has now had 13 starts for five wins, four second placings and A$273,455 in stakes. He has never finished outside the top five.

Since resuming with a fourth placing at Gosford in September, the four-year-old Mightybeel had run first or second in five consecutive races leading into Saturday’s staying feature. The most recent of those was a gallant second behind Polly Grey (NZ) (Azamour) in the Listed ATC Cup (2000m) two weeks ago.

Mightybeel took a big step forward on Saturday, seeing out the 2400-metre distance strongly in the hands of Hugh Bowman and surging to victory by just over a length from the favourite Herman Hesse (Frankel).

“Kerrin McEvoy set a really lovely, even pace on the favourite out in front,” Bowman said. “Although I had a bit of ground to make up, I knew this horse has got a good turn of foot. It was a bit questionable whether he could sustain a run over this distance, but I think he showed that he can today.

“I think he’s a horse that you’ll see start to progress into the better-class handicap staying races this autumn, I think he’s got that in his repertoire.”

Mightybeel is trained by champion expat New Zealander Chris Waller, who has been pleased with the gelding’s progress.

“He certainly has been a good performer this preparation,” Waller said. “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.

“A nice Hugh Bowman ride didn’t go astray, 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 2400 metres, and now that he’s ticked that box, we’ll look at something similar in the next few weeks.”

Mightybeel is related to one of the modern-day greats of Australasian staying ranks. His granddam is a half-sister to Benediction (Day Is Done), whose son Might And Power (NZ) (Zabeel) was a legendary winner of the Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Melbourne Cup (3200m) double in 1997.