Following a luckless fifth in the Group I Winterbottom Stakes back in November, Malaguerra showed he had taken no harm from his trip to Western Australia by returning with a decisive victory in Friday night's $200,000 Group II Browns Sawdust & Shavings Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
The son of Magnus looked a picture of health in the paddock before the race and raced accordingly.
Ridden by Ben Melham, the Peter Gelagotis-trained 5yo gelding camped on the early speed set by Sirbible before taking control in the straight.
He easily held the challenge of the late finishing Black Heart Bart, who was run off his legs early before putting in his usual brave finish to be beaten by two lengths.
Winner of the Group I Darley Classic at Flemington on November 5, Malaguerra equalled Miss Andretti's track record of 1:09.29.
Sirbible (God's Own), who gave fans of the retiring Darren Gauci a huge thrill when kicking clear on the home turn, battled on bravely to finish third. (photo grant Courtney).
Manny Gelagotis, Peter Gelagotis' racing manager, said he believed Malaguerra was the best horse in the race.
"We had some concerns, but I just have Benny the encouragement to execute his strategy," Manny Gelagotis told Racing.com.
"In our mind, he was clearly the best horse in the race. He's a multiple Group 1 winner.
"Moonee Valley can be tricky, but the horse showed a lot of class.
"I expected to see that - he trialled amazing back home.
"Benny said himself he's never seen a horse look better.
"The horse is in rare form, and is a serious horse."
Gelagotis said the Group 1 Orr Stakes and Group I Futurity Stakes, at Caulfield in February.- are on the agenda.
"We've been dying to challenge the horse at the seven furlongs," he said.
"It's going to take an exciting horse to beat him in the Orr and Futurity.
"We saw him at Flemington in previous preparations, and he can run very
Knocked down to B Micalizzi/Bluegrass Bloodstock for $32,000 at the 2013 Inglis VOBIS Gold Yearling sale, Malaguerra advances his overall record to 12 wins and 3 seconds from 23 starts with earnings of $1,574,600.
He is the 16th foal of the stakes-winning Bletchingly mare Tennessee Morn whose previous best had been the Listed stakes-winner Tennessee Midnight (Danehill), the dam of Group 1 Coolmore Classic winner Aloha (Encosta de Lago).
Another daughter of Tennessee Morn, Midnight Rock, is the dam of Group II winner My Emotion (Savabeel).
Tennessee Morn's
Tennessee Morn died on March 15 last year.
Sun Stud's Magnus has just one lot heading to the Inglis Classic Yearling sale but a more healthy 14 entered for the Inglis Premier Yearling sale.
