Costa Diablo was within 0.68 of the national record for 800m when he won the race for 2yr-olds first up in 45.09 at Riccarton on Saturday.
The Encosta De Lago-Devil's Lair colt led and won by two and a-quarter lengths.
The New Zealand record for 800m of 44.41 was set by Lady Libertine as a 2yr-old at Riccarton in December, 2002.
Encosta Diablo was a $600,000 purchase by David Ellis at the New Zealand Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka in January.
He was syndicated to 10 persons with three other high-priced colts and joined the stable of Mark Walker.
Ray Coupland is a member of the syndicate.
Encosta Diablo is a half-brother to Vapour Trail (New Zealand Oaks) and Sangostino (Great Northern Guineas).
He is the fifth winner from six foals to race out of Devil's Lair.
He was bred by the Pencarrow Stud.
Ellis is also in the ownership of Doyenne, who came from the rear of the field to win a rating 80 1600m.
Doyenne and La Victoire, a fresh-up winner, are also trained by Walker.
Brown Eyed Grace, a $90,000 purchase at the 2008 Select Yearling Sale at Karaka, recorded her third win in four starts when she led throughout the listed Canterbury Belle Stakes for 3yr-old fillies.
Brown Eyed Grace is trained at Riccarton by Kevin Hughes and Steven Kellow for Roger and Emily Lindsay, of Christchurch.
Brown Eyed Grace won a 2yr-old race on a heavy track at Invercargill last October and she won fresh up at Riccarton on September 4.
The win on Saturday guaranteed her a start in the One Thousand Guineas.
She is by Van Nistelrooy from Lycsis, an unraced half-sister by Final Card to Lycra, winner of the Ellerslie and Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes.
Brown Eyed Grace has been nominated for both the One Thousand and Two Thousand Guineas.
Hughes is considering the $25,000 Guineas Trial (1400m) for Brown Eyed Grace at Riccarton on October 3.
The winner is exempt from the ballot for both Guineas races.
Transcend won the open 1400m in his first start since joining Aaron Taylor at Riccarton.
Transcend was transferred when part-owner, Brent Laming, shifted to the Gold Coast.
His brother Shane Laming trained Frost Bite to win a maiden race on Saturday.
Another brother, Richard, trains in partnership with his father, Bevan, in Queensland.
Chris Johnson and Leith Innes were suspended for careless riding on Saturday.
Innes was suspended until October 2 and fined $1500.
He admitted allowing his mount Culminate to shift in near the 200m, causing a check to Fritzy Boy in the Windsor Park Plate at Hastings.
Mufhasa was inconvenienced.
Johnson was suspended until midnight on October 8.
He admitted shifting out at the 200m to secure a clear run on Midllans, the winner.
He checked Kirkdouglas and The Dart.
Hoorang, a winner over 2000m at Hastings, will head to Victoria next month in a bid to gain a start in the Melbourne Cup.
He is 57th in order of entry.
Six O'Clock News is to have his next start in The Metropolitan at Randwick on October 3.
