Trainer Tony McEvoy outlined an “aggressive” Sydney autumn campaign with Mouro, impressive winner of Saturday's Eclipse Stakes at Caulfield. McEvoy nominated the $3 million Doncaster and $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes as the autumn goals for Mouro, who lumped 59kg and endured a torrid run in the Group 3 race.

McEvoy said he always thought of Mouro as a “Group 1 horse”.

 

“Now we have to find out. I think we will get very aggressive with him in the autumn,” McEvoy said

 

“In the autumn, I think you will see him go up a level.

 

“I have always thought of him as a 2000-metre horse. He is a half brother to Californian Memory who is the 2000-metre champion in Hong Kong.

 

“This horse is by a stallion (Grand Slam) who should get further, but he has to race better than he did today.”

 

McEvoy said there was much to like about the latest win from Mouro, which didn’t seem to jump that well and then was caught three and four deep up the hill.

 

“He had to do a bit of work up the hill and then mid-race I couldn’t quite see whether the horse was taking him or whether Ollie (Damien Oliver) was doing it, but it was a good result,” McEvoy said.

 

“He’s a pretty good horse. I have a lot of time for him.”

 

Mouro, the $3.60 favorite, scored by a half-length from Rain Drum, $3.70, with two and a half lengths to Bel Thor, $5.50, third.