Grand New Zealand galloper King Mufhasa chalked up his ninth Group one victory with an all the way win the Group 1 $500,000 Cathay Pacific Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield today.

A great front running ride by Nash Rawiller had King Mufhasa travelling smoothly from the outset and with a slow first 600m sectional of 37.6, he was able dictate the race to his liking and virtually give nothing else a chance.

King Mufhasa showed his liking for Caulfield having won the Group 1 $350,000 Toorak Handicap here last October.

Winning trainer Stephen McKee praise the ride of Rawiller and added that with the absence of Black Caviar the job was made a bit easier.

“Nash was able to dictate the race from the front and without Black Caviar here it made it a lot easier,” McKee said.

Rawiller had King Mufhasa still under a tight rein on the home turn and when Craig Williams pushed Pinker Pinker up on the fence the seven year old found plenty and safely held the Cox Plate winner.

McKee will take King Mufhasa back to New Zealand and return to Sydney with the Group 1 $400,000 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on April 7 in mind.

Rawiller has plenty of praise for the King Mufhasa describing him as genuine performer and the fact that he can make his own luck in races is huge asset.

“Full credit to him. His record at weight for age is very good,” Rawiller said.

Pinker Pinker ran a terrific race at her run first run since winning last year’s Cox Plate and showed that she is back on target for the Autumn with a one and a quarter lengths second.