It was business as usual for team Mufhasa at Awapuni where the two-time New Zealand Horse of the Year was back at the top of his game yesterday.
The 8-year-old son of Pentire furthered his already formidable record with a commanding performance in the group three Tod Seeds Manawatu WFA Challenge Stakes off the back of defeats in his two lead-up runs.
Trainer Stephen McKee said a combination of improved underfoot conditions and the drop back in distance had paved the way for Mufhasa to post the 20th victory - 10 of them at the highest level - of his career.
"He was back on a good track and his sprint lasts that bit longer. He was very fit and with that bit of age in his legs he's better-suited by the drop back to 1400 metres."
Mufhasa had finished fourth in the Listed Stella Artois Tauranga Stakes and runner-up in the group one Westbury Stud Captain Cook Stakes in his two prior runs over 1600 metres. Both times he had been hampered by the dead going.