A long-range plan by New Zealand trainer Craig Phelan has paid off with Our Big Mike leading every step of the way in Saturday's $300,000 Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m).
Ridden by Jye McNeil, Our Big Mike kept up a relentless gallop to smash the course record by over 2 seconds to defeat Berisha (Al Samer) by two lengths with Dal Harraild (Champs Elysees) back in third.
A model of consistency in New Zealand, Our Big Mike earned a trip across the Tasman after a meritorious sixth in the Group 1 Livamol Classic at Hastings on June 10.
He finished third in the Kyneton Cup won by Another Coldie on November 7 then third again at Moonee Valley last Saturday.
The 6yo son of Don Eduardo advances his record to 7 wins, 3 seconds and 3 third from 24 starts with earnings of $301,069.
"That's something else," Phelan told Racing.com. "We thought we'd come over and target some country cups, but this is special.
"My son Shaun and his partner Emily (Farr) are jumps jockeys back home. They gave me a kick in the backside and said I had to get over here to chase the money.
"He keeps cruising at that same rate, all day.
"He was booked to go home on the plane on Tuesday, but we might have to leave him here a bit longer - the money over here is so great.
"We haven't thought any further than this, our heads are up in the clouds at the moment."
A half-brother to the Melbourne winner Oforawesome, Our Big Mike is out of the Felix The Cat mare Landvetter who was not covered in the five years after foaling Our Big Mike but was served by Jakkalberry (IRE) last spring.
Our Big Mike becomes the 11th stakes winner for Don Eduardo (Zabeel) who began his stud career at Fayette Park Stud before being transferred to Haunui Farm. He now stands in semi-retirement at his owner's Gooree Park Stud where he has covered just three mares in each of the past two seasons.
