Champion sprinter-miler (King) Mufhasa (NZ) produced another powerful performance to trump his rivals in the G1 Windsor Park Plate at Hastings on Saturday.

New Zealand’s reigning Horse of the Year showed age was no barrier to top-flight success with a 10th triumph at the elite level.  He was untroubled to cross the field from a wide gate at the tricky 1600m start and was never under threat in front.

“All the new challengers come through every year and he keeps holding his form,” trainer Stephen McKee said.  “He’s better when he can sit and kick but he jumped like a rocket and that was it.”

When regular rider Samantha Spratt slipped him more leather into the straight, the gelding held a strong gallop to post a dominant victory.  “He’s got a very, very special place in my heart,” Spratt said.  “He kicked away really well and that’s what he can do – skip along and then kick on them if they come alongside.”

(King) Mufhasa had finished runner-up to Jimmy Choux in last year’s edition of the Windsor Park and then posted his first Australian G1 victory in the Toorak Handicap.  The Caulfield race is on the agenda again this year.

(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 19 wins in 52 starts for $3.33 million in prizemoney.  His roll-call of Group 1 wins reads; 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.