Peter & Paul Snowden’s $15 million The Everest-bound three-year-old Mazu was brilliant in the mud at Eagle Farm on Saturday holding off fellow youngster Paulele in a thrilling battle to claim the 2022 Doomben 10,000.

The Everest contender Mazu (pictured in Sydney) saluted for the punters in the 2022 Doomben 10,000 at Eagle Farm. Photo: Steve Hart.

The Triple Crown-raced son of Maurice extended his winning streak to six straight, rising in grade and taking on the older sprint stars in the Group 1 $1 million Doomben 10,000 (1200m) run this year at Eagle Farm Racecourse.

With the meeting moved from Doomben earlier in the week due to the continued rainfall in Brisbane, the Eagle Farm track was also downgraded to a Heavy (8) after race six.

Undefeated on Heavy going, those conditions suited Mazu on paper and the emerging star won accordingly.

“It’s big relief obviously,” co-trainer Paul Snowden told Sky Thoroughbred.

“There was massive speed here and we used him up to get to a spot. They didn’t back up and he didn’t get a chance to travel as well as he usually does in his races.

“All that pressure and he was still so strong in the end and that’s why we’ve got a spot in The Everest.

“It’s been a very good preparation let me tell you. A lot of work that’s gone into him.

“It’s just really good. It means a lot.”

Last seen winning the Group 2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m) on a Heavy (10) in Sydney, the now gelded Mazu was given a gun ride by Sam Clipperton settling fourth in his big Group 1 test.

Zoustyle carved over from out wide to lead the Doomben 10,000 field around, swinging in front around the home turn.

He was quickly under pressure at the 300m however with the challengers coming, including the James Cummings-trained Paulele, third last time out to Mazu in the Arrowfield Sprint, who was making up plenty of ground down the outside.

The two gun three-year-olds in the field, Paulele ($11) and Mazu ($3.30F), then battled it out over the final furlong with the latter digging deep and showing true grit to hold on and salute for the punters.

“He actually didn’t (relish the conditions),” Clipperton said after the win.

“I was thinking at that 600m mark we ‘we’re in strife’.

“We were chasing a hot speed…he really wasn’t sure on the surface. I just tried to pick him up as best I could and get him as far down the straight on the bridle.

“He’s just a star this horse. He knows how to win and we’ve got a great rapport with each other.

“He was always going to pick up, I just had to have faith in the horse. In the end I got to the front too early and had Paulele breaking down my neck. But he’s just a winner.

“You raise the bar and he jumps it and I feel very grateful to be on a horse of his calibre.”

In an eye-catching third, Group 1 winning Kiwi mare Entriviere ($7) for Mark Walker was excellent late storming up on the outside having settled last the fence before her big finish to round out the Doomben 10,000 trifecta.

For co-trainer Peter Snowden the result saw him secure a fourth Doomben 10,000 victory following previous success with: Beaded (2011), Epaulette (2013) and subsequent dual The Everest hero Redzel (2017) who he also trained in partnership with his son Paul.

The world’s richest turf race is a confirmed spring target on October 15 at Royal Randwick for Mazu who now pays $11 in all-in 2022 The Everest odds at Ladbrokes.com.au – available in full here – to win for slot holders The Star & Arrowfield.

He and Paulele meanwhile could clash much sooner with the duo in the mix for the upcoming Group 1 $700,000 Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) back at Eagle Farm on May 28.

Paulele is into $4.50 favouritism in pre-field 2022 Kingsford-Smith Cup betting, available by clicking here courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au, with Mazu next best at $6.

2022 Doomben 10,000 Results & Finishing Order

Table Credit: Racing Australia.