Queensland raider Scallopini does enjoy his time in Melbourne and claimed another feature race win at Flemington on Saturday to win the Group III VRC Shaftesbury Avenue Stakes(1400m).

The Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted trained eight year-old son of Snitzel again made light of his 60kg to score by nearly two lengths under Damian Lane at his third run back from a spell.

The old warrior made it back to back Flemington stakes wins and is clearly in career best form.

“He’s a beauty; they don’t come much better,” Lane said.

“He leaves the barriers well, races on speed, sometimes he can be a little eager to get on with things, but gee he’s racing so well.

“He can go a high cruising speed, and then he can really sprint off it

“Matt and Steve have got these horses flying, and it’s a privilege to be riding for them.”

Matt Hoysted was full of praise for the stable stalwart.

“He’s rising nine and in career-best form. Every time we raise the bar, he keeps meeting it, we’re just so proud of him,” Hoysted said.

“He’s just an old marvel, he loves his time down here, and I couldn’t be prouder of him.”

Scallopini advances his record to 13 wins and 14 placings from 41 starts with earnings now ticking over $1.1million.

Purchased by Proven Thoroughbreds/Steve O’Dea for $200,000 from the Yarraman draft at the 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Scallopini was bred by Steve Gillard.

Scallopini is the older half-brother to Group II winning mare Shades of Rose and is one of three winners from unraced More Than Ready (USA) mare Rose Of Mulan, a daughter of crack racemare Lady Mulan, winner of the Group II ATC Light Fingers Stakes and placed in the Group I QTC TJ Smith Classic, Group I Coolmore Classic and Group I Flight Stakes.

Rose Of Mulan produced a filly by Hellbent last spring and is now in foal to I Am Invincible.

Image: Grant Courtney