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A multiple Group One winner in his homeland, Karaka graduate Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante) climbed that same mountain in Melbourne with his success in Saturday’s A$1m Group One Neds Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

Bought by Emily Holmes for just $3,000 from the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare and Mixed Bloodstock Sale, the gelding has now won eight of his 25 starts and earned over A$1.37m – more than 500 times his purchase price.

He became a regular presence in the Hawke's Bay Spring Carnival in New Zealand, placing in the Group Two Hawke's Bay Guineas (1400m) as a three-year-old before collecting Group One triumphs in the Windsor Park Plate (1600m) and two editions of the Tarzino Trophy (1600m) for part-owner and former trainer John Bary.

Now he has stepped up to the big time in Australia too, fighting off a highly talented field in Saturday's handicap feature. 

Ridden slightly further back than usual by jockey Jamie Mott, Callsign Mav was sitting in sixth place up to around the 800-metre mark.

He began to creep a bit closer from there, sliding forward to be well within striking range at the top of the home straight.

Runners lined up across the track to take their shot at Sir Rupert Clarke glory, but Callsign Mav dug deepest of all and fought them off, winning by a neck from I Am Superman (Footstepsinthesand).

"He's a three-time Group One winner in New Zealand, so he's done it at the top level over there, and he's been in Cox Plates and All-Star Miles and those sorts of races here," new trainer Danny O'Brien said.

"He's a tough racehorse this horse, he's won plenty of races, and it's great to see him a Group One winner in Australia as well. We'll get through this first, but he'll potentially carry on to the Toorak (Group One, 1600m, October 8)."

Callsign Mav delivered a career-first Group One victory for popular rider Mott.

"I always knew it was coming," Mott said. "I'm one for working hard and always believing in what you are doing. Giving up is not an option.

"I put myself in a good spot weight-wise and mind-wise this campaign, and I'm thankful to Danny and the wonderful connections for keeping me on Callsign Mav. They deserve it, and the horse does as well – he's a three-time New Zealand Group One winner.

"He was really tough when I needed him today. There was good tempo, and I had the option of an easier run on him – he's normally on speed and really fighting it out late. Today I had a softer option and was able to travel.

"He travelled up well in the straight and was in for the fight. I felt I Am Superman coming, but he was never going to lie down."

Callsign Mav is one of 37 winners from only 77 runners for his sire, Group One-winning Karaka graduate Atlante, who sadly died after only two seasons at Mapperley Stud. He is the sire of four black-type winners.

Karaka graduates have now won the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes two years in a row, with high-class mare Sierra Sue (NZ) (Darci Brahma) capturing the million-dollar feature 12 months ago. She was bought for just $2,000 from the 2019 Karaka May Sale.