News Flash confirmed the promise he showed last season with a trial win at Wingatui yesterday.
The Gallant Guru-Stage Flash 3yr-old led over 1000m and drew away by three and three-quarter lengths.
News Flash finished fourth and fifth in two starts as a 2yr-old before he was put aside in November by trainers Brian and Shane Anderton.
His time of 1.04.68 yesterday was the fastest of three heats over 1000m.
Anzac Star and Chaparella won the open heats over that distance easily.
The pair are expected to resume racing at the Otago meeting on September 24.
Anzac Star has not finished further back than fifth in 10 starts. He has won four races and he was successful fresh up last season as a 3yr-old.
He was ridden yesterday by Salem Yusof, an apprentice with Paul Richards, the trainer of Anzac Star.
Yusof (23) has been with the stable for five months and Richards will seek to have him licensed to ride at the Invercargill meeting on Friday week.
Chaparella, who looks bright, was treated for a severe throat infection and put aside in February. She had disappointed in six starts after finishing second fresh up last season. She had won the Gore Guineas and a listed race for fillies at Wingatui as a 3yr-old.
Gallop South has bought new starting gates which are scheduled to be in use at the meeting on September 24.
The gates bought in Australia are a replacement for gates in Otago and Southland which have been in use for some 30 years and showing signs of wear and tear.
The new gates are in sections of 14 and six and will be transported by truck and trailer to the venues.
The 14-gate section will meet the requirements of all venues except Wingatui and Riverton which have starting limits of 16.
The gates, widely used in Australia, were purchased after an inspection by Otago and Southland starters Peter Kennedy and Keiran Price, and Wayne Stevens, the course manager at Wingatui.
Trial results:
Inside grass, slow (7).
Maiden, 800m (first heat): Cabrera Commique 4m K Williams 1; Hadaad-Methven Secrets 3g 2; Robert Brook 3. Four started. Ns, 1L. Time, 51.62. Trainer, S Anderton.
Second heat: Senegal K Williams 1; Painted Black-Solo Star 3g 2; Danzighill-Penny Rose 4m 3. Four started. 2L, 3L. Time, 52.25. Trainer, S Prince.
Third heat: Gallant Guru-Ya Ya 3g M Misbah 1; Seasoned Star-Bonnie Jay 2g 2; Zoe Brook 3. Four started. Nk, 2 3/4L. Time, 52.05. Trainer, T Kennedy.
Fourth heat: Drumhill T Direen 1; Brampton Star 2; Hernandez 3. Five started. 1 1/2L, 2 3/4L. Time, 50.66. Trainer, T Kennedy.
Maiden, 1000m: News Flash M Misbah 1; Megastar 2; Alice Brook 3. Five started. 3 3/4L, 5 3/4L. Time, 1.04.68. Trainers, B and S Anderton.
Open, 1000m (first heat): Anzac Star S Yusof 1; Not My Ruby 2; Chief Ruler 3. Four started. 3/4L, 3/4L. Time, 1.04.85. Trainer, P Richards.
Second heat: Chaparella K Williams 1; Jack Attack 2; Richard Trimbole 3. Four started. 1 3/4L, 3 1/2L. Time, 1.05.01. Trainer, S Prince.
