Impressive two-year-old winner Kabugee made a winning return at three when successful in the Arawa Park Hotel 3YO 1215m at Rotorua on Sunday for trainer Mark Walker.

The son of Satono Aladdin had turned heads when breaking maiden ranks at his sole two-year-old outing when successful at Te Aroha back in January.

Resuming on the back of two trials, Kabugee was keen early outside the leader before gaining cover when the favourite Golden Darci whipped around the small field of five to lead.  

Sporting blinkers Kabugee ranged to lead three wide on straightening and kicked strongly under jockey Opie Bosson to stave off stablemate Stoneybreck by a short head.

“He’s an unassuming sort of horse, not big by any means, but he wants to be a racehorse and knows where the winning post is,” Walker said.

“He’ll improve further with the run under his belt and there’s some nice races coming up over the Christmas period for him.”

Bred by Cambridge Hunt, which includes the brothers Barry, Graeme, and Peter Hunt, Kabugee is owned in conjunction with Kabugee 2020 Syndicate, managed by TAB bookmaker Stephen Hunt and comprises about 15 family and friends.

Kabugee is out of stakes performed mare Kabuki, an impressive winner over 1400m and half-sister to Champion Sire Tavistock, who, along with Kabugee, has left smart winner Akerra.

Kabugee is one of eight Southern Hemisphere winners for exciting Deep Impact stallion Satono Aladdin, whose early progeny also include last week’s Gr.3 Blue Saphire Stakes (1200m) winner Grand Impact.

Group One winning miler Satono Aladdin stands at Rich Hill Stud for a fee of $12,500 + GST.