Mourinho's racing career has gone from strength to strength as a seven-year-old with the gelding notching the second weight-for-age win of his campaign at Caulfield.

In a field which included the Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist and weight-for-age star Happy Trails, Mourinho took out the 1800-metre race on Saturday despite racing ungenerously.

Mourinho had three quarters of a length to spare over Happy Trails with Akzar another half neck away third.

Protectionist, heavily backed to start $2.90 favourite, worked home from the second half of the field to finish sixth in his first start for new trainer Kris Lees.

Mourinho, who won the Australia Stakes first-up and was third in the CF Orr Stakes, will head to the Australian Cup.

Elated trainer Peter Gelagotis said Mourinho was in vintage form.

"He's absolutely flying," Gelagotis said.

"His last preparation he took a step up in his career.

"He went out for a nice break and exceeded our expectations so far and we came into today's race with a lot of confidence.

Lees said Protectionist's run earned a pass mark over 1800m at a track he and jockey Craig Williams believe he isn't suited to.

"He was good late which was really what we wanted to see," Lees said.

"Whether it was the run to win an Australian Cup, we'll see."