Zou Sensation continued his remarkable campaign by adding another feature race success in Wednesday’s 1400-metre Kensington Stakes at Flemington.

The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained gelding showed his trademark toughness to prevail at the 11th start of a preparation that dates back to May 10, proving too strong late for Steparty.

The extended campaign has delivered five wins, including two at Listed level, a Group 2 runner-up finish and strong performances when finishing in the top four of both $1m The Meteorite and The Supernova.

Wednesday’s victory carried a $105,000 first prize and pushed Zou Sensation’s career earnings beyond the $1 million mark, a milestone that came as no surprise to Troy Corstens.

“I was actually talking to Will (Larkin) this morning and he said, ‘I reckon I’m going to have a bet today’ and he said, ‘do you think he’s gone (trained) off?’

“I said, ‘mate, he’s as good as he ever is’. But it’s always hard when you’re coming to the end of the preparation and he’s been up for a year.

“He’s just an iron horse. Someone just said to me, ‘are you going to tip him out now’ and I said no. There’s no way I’m tipping him out, he’s going so well, why would you tip him out?”

The son of Zoustar showed his fighting qualities once again by responding when challenged late by Steparty ($6.50) to secure the win.

Zou Sensation ($4) scored by a head with bookmakers favourite Persian Spirit ($2.50) finishing two lengths back in third.

Jamie Melham, who reunited with Zou Sensation for the first time since early spring, said the race unfolded exactly as planned.

“Today everything was just easy. He was an absolute dream to ride and he was very relaxed,” Melham said.

“That’s how we thought it would play out, the map, and it worked out perfectly.”

Betting markets for the Kensington Stakes and upcoming Flemington features can be found via the Australian betting sites list.