Coming off a win in the Listed Winter Challenge at Rosehill back on July 25, the Kris Lees-trained gelding Mugatoo (IRE) gave punters something to cheer about when he parlayed that into another stakes success in Saturday’s Group III Premiers Cup (1900m) at Rosehill.
Sent off an odds-on favourite under Kerrin McEvoy, the 6yo son of Henrythenavigator defeated the Coffs Harbour Cup winner Sikandarabad (IRE) (Dr Fong) by one and a quarter lengths with Herengawe (Zed) a short-head back in third.
Winner of the Listed Canberra Cup back in March, the Australian bloodstock colour-bearer advances his record to 7 wins, 1 second and 1 third from 13 starts with earnings of $448,692.
Lees said the Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap over 2400m at Randwick on October 3.
"He could end up in a Newcastle Cup in three weeks time, which would then lead into the Metrop where he would still get in alright at the handicaps," Lees told AAP.
"He is taking the right steps. It was another test for him today and he reacted well.
"I'm sure he will come on again from the run. He has a bright future."
The son of the former Coolmore shuttler Henrythenavigator (USA ) won his first three starts in Australia having won two of his six starts in England when trained by for David Simcock.
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Elopa is a three-quarter-sister to multiple Group II winner Eye Of The Tiger and Listed winner Echoes Rock and a half-sister to Group 1 Singapore Cup winner Epalo (Lando) and stakes-winners Evening Breeze (Surumu) and Evening Storm (Acatenango).
