A precise ride has delivered another unforgettable Moonee Valley moment for Hugh Bowman after Mugatoo won the $5 million All-Star Mile.
Famous for his association with Winx and his four WS Cox Plate wins at the Melbourne racetrack on the champion racemare, Bowman rode possibly the race of his career on Mugatoo.
Caught on the inside of runners, Bowman had to wait his turn for a run to present itself.
But when the gap came, Mugatoo ($8) accelerated between the leaders and got the better of the heavily backed Russian Camelot ($4.20) to win by a half length.
"Sometimes the best options are when you don't have any," Bowman said.
Bohemeth ($15) who tried to lead all the way, held on to finish third.
Mugatoo is an English import trained out of Newcastle in NSW by Kris Lees for Australian Bloodstock, a prominent syndicator best known for an association with the 2014 Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist.
The All-Star Mile, the richest race of the Australian autumn, was run in rain on a deteriorating track and without the early favourite Arcadia Queen.
Arcadia Queen failed a veterinary test on race morning, leaving New Zealand mare Probabeel as favourite.
But Probabeel never raised her connections' hopes, finishing worse than midfield.
