Black and Bent confirmed his status as Australasia’s champion jumper with a demolition of his rivals in today’s $200,000 Grand National Hurdle (3900m) at Sandown.

The outstanding son of Black Hawk produced one of the finest hurdling performances seen on Australian shores as he cruised home to win by a widening 12 length margin.

Connections cheered and the crowd marvelled as Black and Bent raced clear approaching the last jump and then roared with approval as he soared over it with ease.

Jockey Steven Pateman had time to think about he’d spent his cut from the win as the pair coasted home to great applause.

Jumps racing “white knight” and part owner Mike Symons was a proud man in the winner’s stall.

“What a performance – my heart is pumping so much,” Symons said from the winner’s stall.

“What can you say – he’s just a superstar!”

“We knew he would improve after (winning at) Warrnambool. He’s always been half a run behind this preparation and after that run we knew he would be spot on for the National.”

While trainer Robert Smerdon is certain Black and Bent is better than his half brother Some Are Bent, Symons is a little more reserved.

“Some Are Bent won over a million dollars over the jumps and this guy’s only about half way there yet,” Symons said.

“But on that performance you’d have to say he’s every bit as good, if not even now a little better.”

And connections dreams of qualifying him to run in this year’s Melbourne Cup are still alive.

“He’ll run next in the Houlahan Hurdle here in a fortnight and then we’ll look at trying to get him to the Cup.”

“The RM Ansett Stakes at Mornington and the Bart Cummings at Flemington are on the same weekend and both are listed races over 2300 metres and if he won that would pass the first qualifying condition.”

“He’s got a great record on the flat at Flemington and he could head to the Bart Cummings – but we’ll nominate for both races and work out where to go from there,” Symons added.

Winning rider Steven Pateman described the effort and his feeling after the race as “just unbelievable.”

“He’s just an amazing horse,” Pateman summed up.

Black and Bent has turned out an incredible money spinner for connections following his purchase by Blue Sky Thoroughbreds on behalf of Victoria’s Rick McIntosh at the 2007 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.

He’s now earned over $770,000 – a handsome return on his $25,000 purchase price.

The gelding, who is from the grand producer Summer Gambit, was bred on the outskirts of Gumeracha in South Australia’s Torrens Valley by Rob and Maureen McBryde and sold through their Summerset Park draft.

His famous half brother Some Are Bent was one of the country’s most popular gallopers – like Black and Bent he was a star over jumps.

A son of Distored Humor, Some Are Bent raced for similar connections and earned over $1 million during a 14 win career. He was the Champion Jumper of Australia in 2007.

Their dam Summer Gambit, a four time winner, almost earned black type – running fourth in a listed Balcrest Stakes and Lord Mayor’s Mile, both in Adelaide.

Another of her city winners is the Delzao mare Banderilla – a homebred for the McBryde family. She is yet to go to stud.

Summer Gambit, a spritely 21-year-old, was served last season by former outstanding juvenile Von Costa De Hero.

Winner: Black and Bent
Breeding: Black Hawk-Summer Gambit (Bestebreuje)
Race: MRC Grand National Hurdle (3900m)
Sold for: $25,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale
Vendor: Summerset Park Stud
Buyer: Rick McIntosh
Earnings: $771,392
Owner(s): A McGregor, AJ Warren, AJ Webber, PA Seccull, CA Opie & MT Racing Pty Ltd Syndicate (Mgr: M Symons)
Trainer: Robert Smerdon (Caulfield)

PICS – Colin Bull.