After winning at Moonee Valley at his career debut in February last year, Muraaqeb looked something well above average when third in the Group III Black Opal Stakes won by Trapeze Artist despite enduring a torrid run.
In nine starts since he added a second win at Moonee Valley although a stakes win eluded him despite placing a further four times in black-type races.
The stars aligned for the son of Snitzel in the Group III China Horse Club Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) on Day One The Championships at Randwick when he received a charmed run under Damien Oliver to down Dissolution (Snitzel) by three-quarters of a length with the favourite Holy Snow (Fast5net Rock) a short-head back in third. (photo Steve Hart )
Trained by David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Muraaqeb advances his record to 3 wins, 1 second and 4 thirds from 12 starts with earnings of $334,350.
"He ran well in some of the better races in Melbourne without much luck from wider draws," Oliver said.
"Today we had a lovely run and David said he was quite keen on his chances so he's turned out to be a good judge."
A homebred for Shadwell Stud Australasia, Muraaqeb is the first live foal from the Starcraft mare Tafseel.
Purchased for $400,000 at the 2009 Inglis Yearling Sale, Tafseel did not write off a lot of her purchase price on the track, starting twice for a debut second at Geelong before being whisked off to stud following an unplaced effort on a heavy track at Seymour.
She is a half-sister to Group II winner Brave Prince and 2-time Listed stakes-winner Valourina out of the Group 1 Queensland Derby and Group 1 Queensland Oaks winner Bravery.
Valourina has carried on the line with Group II winners Media and Timbourina and the Listed winner Cardinal Virtue.
Tafseel has an unraced 2yo Exceed And Excel filly named Buthayna and a colt foal by Epaulette.
She was bred back to Snitzel last spring.
Muraaqeb becomes the 82nd stakes-winner for the runaway leading stallion Snitzel who has 56 yearlings to be sold over the three days of the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
