The Mitigator wins Harcourts Thorndon Mile, Group 1, NZ$200,000, at Trentham, 1600m,
Leading from the outset, as he did when winning in Group 3 company at Ellerslie in November, The Mitigator defied his opponents to run him down and held on very gamely for his seventh career victory and maiden Group 1 win.
He was quickly away to take a narrow lead early and held there past the 1000m, edging more than a length clear from the 600m.
At the top of the straight he added to his lead then kicked at the 300m. He was still clear at the 100m and while the challengers came, he dug deep and clung on by a short-head.
Wyndspelle sat seventh at the 1000m, tried to improve from the 600m but struck traffic at the 400m. He poked through at the 250m and went hard after the leader.
He was taking ground off the winner but the post arrived too soon.
Yearn had a lovely run in fourth, hugged the fence into the straight and never gave up for a top third. Rock On Wood was very unlucky.
He tracked Yearn into the straight but never saw daylight until the 100m then flew to be a nose back in fourth.
Among the last few turning in, Shadows Cast kept up a strong run to finish fifth.
