(King) Mufhasa responds to Challenge

Kiwi champion (King) Mufhasa may well be in the veteran division but isn’t about to hand over his crown just yet.  The New Zealand Horse of the Year produced another stirring display when giving age and a sound beating to his rivals in the G3 Manawatu Challenge Stakes at Awapuni on Saturday.

(King) Mufhasa was back in the winning groove after striking unsuitable going when toppled at Tauranga and Trentham in his two previous appearances.  “He was back on a good track and his sprint lasts that bit longer,” trainer Stephen McKee said.  “He was very fit and with that bit of age in his legs he’s better-suited by the drop back to 1400 metres.”

(King) Mufhasa relished the firmer underfoot conditions to make his way to the front and was coasting on the bend.  He showed his customary turn of foot 200 metres from home to kick away and then coasted home by two and a half lengths.  “I was swinging on him turning for home and it was a huge effort – it’s like a Group One,” rider Sam Spratt said. “It’s just a privilege to ride a horse like him.”

The winner of 10 G1 races, (King) Mufhasa will now bid to add to that tally in the Waikato Draught Sprint or the Orr Stakes in Melbourne on February 9.

(King) Mufhasa (8g Pentire – Sheila Cheval by Mi Preferido) was bred and sold by Rich Hill Stud for $50,000 at the 2006 NZB Select Sale.  He is raced by David, Simon and Natalie Archer along David’s partner Diane Wright.

Saturday’s victory improved his record 20 wins with a roll-call of Group 1 victories in the 2009 Waikato Draught Sprint & Telegraph Hcp, 2010 Otaki Maori Stakes, 2011 Mudgway Stakes, Toorak Hcp, Waikato Draught Sprint, Captain Cook Stakes, Telegraph Hcp, 2012 Futurity Stakes and Windsor Park Plate.

(King) Mufhasa responds to Challenge

Kiwi champion (King) Mufhasa may well be in the veteran division but isn’t about to hand over his crown just yet.  The New Zealand Horse of the Year produced another stirring display when giving age and a sound beating to his rivals in the G3 Manawatu Challenge Stakes at Awapuni on Saturday.

(King) Mufhasa was back in the winning groove after striking unsuitable going when toppled at Tauranga and Trentham in his two previous appearances.  “He was back on a good track and his sprint lasts that bit longer,” trainer Stephen McKee said.  “He was very fit and with that bit of age in his legs he’s better-suited by the drop back to 1400 metres.”

(King) Mufhasa relished the firmer underfoot conditions to make his way to the front and was coasting on the bend.  He showed his customary turn of foot 200 metres from home to kick away and then coasted home by two and a half lengths.  “I was swinging on him turning for home and it was a huge effort – it’s like a Group One,” rider Sam Spratt said. “It’s just a privilege to ride a horse like him.”

The winner of 10 G1 races, (King) Mufhasa will now bid to add to that tally in the Waikato Draught Sprint or the Orr Stakes in Melbourne on February 9.

(King) Mufhasa (8g Pentire – Sheila Cheval by Mi Preferido) was bred and sold by Rich Hill Stud for $50,000 at the 2006 NZB Select Sale.  He is raced by David, Simon and Natalie Archer along David’s partner Diane Wright.

Saturday’s victory improved his record 20 wins with a roll-call of Group 1 victories in the 2009 Waikato Draught Sprint & Telegraph Hcp, 2010 Otaki Maori Stakes, 2011 Mudgway Stakes, Toorak Hcp, Waikato Draught Sprint, Captain Cook Stakes, Telegraph Hcp, 2012 Futurity Stakes and Windsor Park Plate.