Racing: King Mufhasa rules at last in Toorak

King Mufhasa wins the Toorak Handicap. Photo / Getty Images

Former New Zealand Horse of the Year King Mufhasa may be a late entry in the Cox Plate after finally clinching an elusive Australian win in the Group One Toorak Handicap at Caulfield.

The seven-year-old was having his 11th Australian start on his fifth visit when he delivered what New Zealanders all knew he was capable of in yesterday's 1600-metre feature.

Camped outside the Gai Waterhouse-trained leader Fast Clip, he had the race run to suit him and found another gear to sprint clear at the 300 metres.

King Mufhasa scored by a long neck from Peter Moody-trained stablemates King's Rose and Luen Yat Forever.

Trainer Steve McKee said he always had faith that King Mufhasa would eventually show his best to Australians and was thrilled that it was in a Group One.

"We're happy the horse has finally been able to bring his best form here and show the form we know from New Zealand," McKee said.

Last autumn King Mufhasa finished a close fourth to last year's Toorak winner More Joyous in the Group One Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

McKee said he now fears the gelding will be weighted out of next month's Group One Emirates Stake (1600m) at Flemington, fuelling speculation that the owners will pay a $130,000 late entry fee for the Cox Plate in two weeks.

The Toorak Handicap first prize was $210,000.

"It [the Cox Plate] would not be my first choice but he is a seven-year-old gelding and if the owner wants to go, it is up to him," McKee said.

Five-year-old mare Black Caviar has won her 14th start in a row, matching the feat of the great New Zealand thoroughbred Phar Lap by winning yesterday's Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield.

Black Caviar, ridden by Luke Nolen and trained by Peter Moody, looked effortless in winning the 1000m race by four lengths from a field of seven challengers.

Outstanding colt Helmet claimed his third Group One feature when he dug deep to score a courageous win in the $1 million Caulfield Guineas yesterday.

Ridden aggressively by Kerrin McEvoy, Helmet held off Manawanui, while Huegill was third.