‘The Wizard’ weaves his racing magic

Not many trainers win a galloping, pacing and trotting race all within the space of three days but that’s what Todd Mitchell achieved on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week.

On Wednesday afternoon his galloper My Pride And Joy and jockey Mark Du Plessis paid $9.10 when winning the seventh event at Pukekohe Park.

The following night, he drove pacer Raschker to victory at odds of $6.20 athis beloved Cambridge Raceway, and then last night (Friday) Mitchell achieved his most satisfying victory when he steered Prime Power to win the feature trot at Alexandra Park.

“It’s been a week to remember all right. The hard work is paying off. They were all very rewarding, but Prime Power is my ‘pride and joy’. He’s the horse I trained and drove my first Group One winner back in 2013 (Jewels 3yo Ruby Trot).

“It hasn’t been easy for him racing off long marks this season. He hasn’t had much luck because of it, but he felt extra tonight and got a nice sit and sprint at them. I couldn’t be happier with him going into some of the big Group Ones in the next couple of months,” Mitchell said.

Prime Power notched up his 16th career win from his 51st start when proving too good for The Almighty Johnson, Lemond and company in the $16,000 Dawson Harford Handicap for the R66 to R 109 trotters. 

The 7-year-old Monarchy – Mega Belle gelding was rated 109 and started from the 40m back-mark. He was the $6.90 third favourite.

“He went super. I’ve been making mid-race moves in his previous starts and it’s just been too tough for him off these long marks because he can’t sprint three times.

“The race panned out beautifully. He was so fluent in his gait and he hit the line well. Hopefully he will get some front-line relief when the Anzac Cup and Rowe Cup roll around in late April,” Mitchell said.

Prime Power flew away from his back-mark and Mitchell settled him back in the field, but two back in the running line. Then at the 600m he made his move before looming up on turn and winning by one-and-a-quarter lengths.

He trotted the 2700m stand in 3:24.7 (mile rate 2:01.9) and home in 59 even and 29.2.

“I’ve changed his feed and he looks much more powerful and stronger this time in. I don’t think he’s ever been healthier. He’s so fit and athletic looking that he looks like one of my thoroughbreds. Putting him out for four months in March last year has been the making of him,” Mitchell said.

The Waikato horseman thought he would be a real show in the Anzac Cup on April 21.

“He badly needs a front-line draw and then we will see the best of him. I’m not saying he can win the Anzac Cup or Rowe Cup, but off the front I think we will see a different horse and the others will know they are in a race.

“Thereafter who knows where he will line up. I will talk to Bryan and Marilyn (Macey – owner/breeders) and see what they think. But I reckon he could win another $200,000 in free-for-all races in Australia,” Mitchell said.

“His big handicaps here might ensure that. It’s something I will have to sit down with Bryan and have a serious talk about his future,” he added.

Mitchell works a team of 20 at Tauwhare, including six thoroughbreds. He had no hesitation saying Prime Power was his stable star.

Thirteen of Prime Power's 16 wins have come at Alexandra Park – 12 of them over last night's distance.

Mitchell is experiencing one of his best seasons and is the leading trainer at Cambridge Raceway this season with 83 points – eight clear of Steve Telfer and Chris Garlick.

In 2016-2017 he has conditioned 16 winners from 111 starters and also placed 33 times. His $125,174 in stakes earnings this season has ensured he's cracked the $100,000 mark for the last five seasons.

In a training career spanning back to 2000 Mitchell has conditioned 241 winners from 1,992 starters. He's also placed on 489 occasions and banked $1.9 million in career stakes.

The four-time New Zealand Cup winning driver is also having a good year in the sulky.

In 2016-2017 he's reined home 17 winners from 203 starters, placed 48 times and netted $181, 024 in stakes.

Since 1988 his career stats read 1,072 winners from 10,502 starters; 2,079 placings and $11.3 million in stake earnings.

No wonder they call him ‘The Wizard!’

Duane Ranger