Karaka Quinella in Mufhasa Stakes

Qiji Express (NZ) (Shamexpress) and She’s a Thief (NZ) (Showcasing) cost just $57,500 between them at Karaka in 2017, but they fought out the finish in a high-quality running of the $60,000 Listed Mufhasa FastTrack Stakes (1300m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Qiji Express capitalised on a ground-saving inside ride from Craig Grylls, kicking away in the straight and holding out the late run of She’s a Thief by a length and a quarter.

Qiji Express has now had 10 starts for three wins, three placings and $92,500 in stakes for owners Horse Feng Bloodstock Ltd Fudong Niu. He has earned more than three times his $27,500 purchase price at the 2017 Select Sale.

This was his first black-type win, having previously placed in the Group 2 Sarten Memorial (1400m) and the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m).

“It was a very good win today,” Baker said. “He’s been working well and we gave him a jumpout the other week at Cambridge and it was a very strong heat and he ran well.

“We thought he’d go pretty well fresh and he got a good barrier and Craig rode him a treat.”

Runner-up She’s a Thief was a $30,000 purchase at the 2017 Festival Sale and has earned $122,100 in her nine-start career.