Mahanadi Makes it Two in a Row


Five-year-old Mahanadi (Tiger Hill) has made it two consecutive victories to remain undefeated over the hurdles with victory in the $12,500 Martin Bosley’s Restaurant of the Year Hurdles (3000m) at Trentham on Saturday.

Mahanadi put in a faultless display of jumping at just his second attempt on Saturday. He had only made his debut over hurdles the week prior when leading all the way at Awapuni.

This week jockey Jo Rathbone settled the horse mid-field but wide, well clear of any danger. As the pressure went on heading towards the home turn, Rathbone allowed Mahanadi to cruise up to the leaders. He drew alongside the leader, Derby Dan, at the last jump and put in a flying leap to assert a winning margin.

Trained by Kevin Myers, an astute trainer of jumpers, the five-year-old gave the impression that this may not be his last win over the sticks.

“He is a good stayer so that helps,” said Myers.

“We are not getting carried away with him but he seems alright. There are no plans with him now, but he has no problems with the wet tracks.”

Mahanadi has assembled an impressive record, winning six of his 11 starts. He broke his maiden over 2180m in January 2012. Since then he has won a further three races on the flat, all over 2200m and collected over $55,000 in prizemoney.

Mahanadi is bred and raced by Peter and Philip Vela. His dam, Bargibant (Sir Tristram), is also the dam of the well-performed Group 2 winner Free at Last (Senor Pete).