High times for Mitchell
MICHAEL MITCHELL might live like a gypsy but he is one happy camper.
The Englishman’s passion for jumps racing takes him around the globe, but no matter where he goes, he will always have fond memories of Riccarton Park.
For a student of the game like Mitchell, winning the $75,000 Grand National Steeplechase is a dream come true. The Brian and Shane Anderton-trained High Forty was more than 11 lengths clear on Saturday to give Mitchell his first National triumph.
He rode Athenry to second in the race last year and has also been runner-up in the last two Grand National Hurdles, with Zenocoin last year and Kings Deep last week.
Riccarton is a long way from Mitchell’s home town of Rugby in England, but he was sure his proud family would have been celebrating.
“I think my parents have a few sleepless nights watching me race,” he said. “If they can’t watch it, they often listen to it in bed.”
Mitchell has spent time travelling around France, Australia and America and now has designs on Japan, but there is no questioning his desire to continue riding in New Zealand.
He rates winning the Grand National Steeplechase as easily the biggest moment of his five years of riding in New Zealand.
“It was such a good feeling, especially in front of a South Island crowd,” Mitchell said.
“Walking into the birdcage, it’s just such a buzz, you can’t describe that feeling.”
There was a collective sigh from the crowd as Mitchell and High Forty lined up the final fence but they rose together as they safely negotiated it and sprinted away to win the gruelling 5600m challenge.
Mitchell was keeping himself and his horse calm to make sure there was no last fence fever.
“Coming to the last I knew I was well clear but you just never know what can happen in jumps racing,” he said.
Mitchell first came to New Zealand on the advice of Sheila Laxon, whom he was working for in Australia. He ended up working for Graeme Rogerson for around a year before gaining his licence.
“Graeme was very good to me and helped set me up, I don’t think I’d still be here if it wasn’t for him.”
Mitchell was freelancing this year and was unsure how things would work, but his move to get on the phone to the Andertons was a clever one. He liked what he saw from High Forty and Harry Hill on the flat so he made the call and was fortunate enough to pick up the ride on High Forty.
High Forty has had six wins and a second from seven starts over country this term, with the wins coming in succession. Mitchell has been on board for five wins and a second.
Saturday’s win gave Brian Anderton his fourth success in the Grand National as a trainer, following Bymai (1984), Lord Venture (1988) and Noble Express (1994).
High Forty, who won two races on the flat and two over hurdles, has now earned just under $150,000 as a steeplechaser. Shane Anderton, who rode Lord Venture to victory, said High Forty was unlikely to go to next month’s Great Northern Steeplechase.
Mr Mor battled on bravely for second, while five-year-old Hezanakilad, a maiden steeplechase winner three days earlier, hinted at his potential when third.
Timaru mare Faites Vos Jeux pulled up sore with a suspensory ligament problem.
Awapuni trainer Mike Breslin recorded his third win at the meeting when Salamanca was successful in the open sprint, while Whyte Handicap winner Our Gazza, who appreciated some easing in the ground, won the Winter Classic for Lisa Latta.