Trainer Peter Gelagotis has revealed that Mourinho will have his next race start in the 2014 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes at Moonee Valley next Saturday after he started his 2014 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with an impressive win over stablemate Hvasstan in the Open Handicap over 1500 metres at Moonee Valley last weekend.

Mourinho defeated a strong field to win at Moonee Valley on Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Mourinho and Hvasstan both went into the 1500 metre event at lengthy odds, but both worked home strongly in the final stages of the race to finish first and second and give the Gelagotis stable a rare quinella.

Peter and his brother Manny Gelagotis could not hide their delight at the conclusion of the race and Peter told Racing Ahead that he could not be happier with performances of his stable stars.

“I went there with an open mind,” Gelagotis said.

“I just want to see the horses run well hitting the line and I would have been very satisfied if they had run a nice four, fifth or sixth hitting the line.

“They are the top horses in our stable and they have all started their preparations in fine fashion.

“It is onwards and upwards and it is exciting times ahead.

“Hopefully we can pick off some of the spring riches.”

Mourinho has recorded two wins at Group level, taking out the 2011 Tasmanian Derby (2200m) and the 2013 JRA Cup (2040m), and he is set to return to black type racing for the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on September 6 – a track where he has now recorded four of his six career wins.

Hvasstan and Mourinho have now raced against each other on three occasions and Gelagotis said that he would consider giving Hvasstan another chance to take on his stablemate in the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes.

“They are both Moonee Valley specialists and we are going to try and keep them there as much as we can,” Gelagotis said.

“There are a couple of Moonee Valley meetings coming up and Mourinho will definitely go to the Dato and we just need to make a decision whether we clash the two again or we take the softer option with Hvasstan.

“He could run in the handicap, claim a couple of kilos and be very competitive at that level.”

There is set to be plenty of talent in the 2014 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes, with Melbourne Cup favourite The Offer, popular gelding The Cleaner and Hong Kong star Dan Excel all expected to run in the Group 2 event.