Mazu ($1.95F) made it four in a row and three from three this preparation taking out the Listed Darby Munro Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens for Peter and Paul Snowden, giving Peter his fourth win in the race in the last ten years.
Jumping from barrier one, the three-year-old Maurice gelding was settled third on the rail by Sam Clipperton in the seven horse-field which had been decimated by scratchings with the heavy 9 track.
Sticking to the rail, Mazu claimed the lead from Omni Man ($10) at the 300m and continued to pull away, crossing line 2.6L in front of second placed Bacchanalia ($5) with Smirnova 3.63L away third.
A $180,000 Classic Yearling Sale purchase, Mazu has now taken his earnings to over $400,000.
Since his ultimate gear change of being gelded, Mazu has been much more focused and settled in both the parade ring and his races, with the benefits clearly showing in his results.
Co-trainer Peter Snowden echoed this after todays win,
“It's turned the horse around.
“It would take three of us to saddle him up. He was hard work and all of that nervous energy would get zapped out of him before he got to the gates.
“He's an absolute champ now, he's relaxing really well, has a great turn of foot and is just getting better and better every time he steps out now.
“The Arrowfield has always been a target right from the get go. We've always had a plan and the plan so far has gone to plan.
“Hopefully he's got one more in him.”
Mazu is currently sitting as $4 favourite with online bookmakers for the 1200m Group 2 Arrowfield Sprint to be run at Royal Randwick on Day 2 of The Championships on April 9.