In his first start for almost two years, Mazzacano overcame a strong field to come from second last at the 800-metre mark to win in convincing fashion. Carrying 69.5kilograms, he scored by three-quarters of a length from Brookton Mist, with two-and three-quarter lengths to War Dancer third.

Mazzacano became the only horse to win two Australian Steeples since the race has been run at Betfair Park, and the fourth to achieve that feat since the race was first run in 1882.

The previous dual Australian Steeple winner was Tongalla in 1937 and 1938. Mazzacano's last run was when he won the Crisp Steeple at Betfair Par in June 30, 2007 - 102 weeks ago.

To attempt to win a race as tough as the Australian Steeple after an extended layoff is a freakish task but Laing is a freakish trainer who also did it last month when he won the gruelling Grand Annual Steeple at Warrnambool with Sir Pentire in his first run in two years.

Laing said he would attempt to complete another double by setting Mazzacano for the $101,000 Crisp Steeplechase at Sandown on Sunday, August 16, which will be ideal for the eight-year-old, who is in danger of being weighted out of handicap events.

The trainer will then look at the $202,000 Grand National Steeplechase at Sandown on Sunday, August 30, but weight could be the decider.

Mazzacano is laying claim to being one of the greatest jumpers to grace Australian soil and certainly the best since the mighty Crisp in the late 1960s and early '70s.