Shawn Mathrick felt a sense of deja vu with the win of Our Nkwazi at Moonee Valley.

At the corresponding meeting last year, Our Nkwazi landed his first Moonee Valley success when lowering the colours of dual Group One placegetter Lord Of The Sky.

On Saturday, Our Nkwazi landed the Melbourne Signage Concepts Handicap (1000m) giving the now nine-year-old his third Moonee Valley success.

Ridden by Ben Melham, Our Nkwazi ($10) scored by a nose from Hard Romp ($6) with Il Cavallo, the $2.90 favourite, a short half-head away third.

"He's a great old horse that loves this track," Mathrick said.

"He goes home, he eats up and it's showing out as this is his best preparation.

"It's the third prep that I've had him and I said his third prep would be his best."

Mathrick said Our Nkwazi had several issues when he first arrived at his stable.

"He was a bit of a problem horse before I got him but he just likes his home," Mathrick said.

"He had a few quirky little issues that we sorted out and we get on great.

"He's my favourite horse in the stable at the moment."