Winless since capturing the Listed Albury Gold Cup last April, the Chris Waller trained Matusalem burst back to winning form in the $250,000 Listed Wyong Cup (2100m) on Friday.
A stunning looking near back gelding by The Autumn Sun, Matusalem put the writing on the wall with placings at his past two starts at Randwick and found conditions to suit at Wyong.
Given a beautiful ride by James McDonald parked in behind the leaders from barrier one, Matusalem just need a gap after turning for home and when it came he surged to the line.
Matusalem was game when challenged and stuck to his task to win by a head taking his overall record to seven wins and seven placings from 32 starts with prizemoney just shy of $1million.
“He just had to wait for that run to come at the top of the straight and when it did he let down beautifully and finished off as expected,” said stable representative Logan Lee.
“He really deserved that as he’s a very honest horse. Well done to all the team and connections.”
A $500,000 Magic Millions purchase from Arrowfield Stud for Chris Waller Racing/Mulcaster Bloodstock, Matusalem is a horse with a big pedigree being a sibling to dual Group I winner Kenedna and Group II winning sire Spill the Beans.
He is the third stakes-winner among nine winners from 10 foals to race from Miss Dodwell, a winning half-sister to Group II winner Yammer and stakes-winner Blab, the dam of Group I winner Speak Fondly.
Miss Dodwell is now retired from stud duties and her last foal is an unraced three year-old full sister to Matusalem that is trained by Chris Waller, but is yet to trial.
Matusalem is the second stakes-winner of the new season for the Autumn sun, who has taken an early lead at the top of the Australian General Sires List by earnings.
He stands this spring at Arrowfield at a fee of $137,500.
