Smiling Star stepped up from winning a maiden race to success in a Sires' Stakes heat for 3yr-olds at Forbury Park last night.
Smiling Star outfinished Texican to win by a neck with five and a-quarter lengths to Cam Before The Storm, who shaded the favourite, Canardly Lover.
Smiling Star ran the 1700m (mobile) in 2.03.1, a 1.56.5 mile rate, the last 800m in 57.9.
It is the fastest time recorded in a 1700m Sires' Stakes heat for 3yr-olds at Forbury Park.
The previous best was 2.03.8 by Auckland Reactor in 2007.
Auckland Reactor carried on to win the final at Addington.
Smiling Star led early then gave way to Canardly Lover at the 1000m, Texican joined Canardly Lover at the 1000m and had the upper hand at the 300m when Smiling Star came off the trail with a powerful burst.
Smiling Star had won a maiden race at Addington at his other start two weeks ago for the Forever Smiling syndicate and trainer Robbie Holmes.
The 19-member syndicate bought the son of Grinfromeartoear and Sagitta six weeks ago for $80,000 from Alabar (NZ) Ltd, the stud operator.
Smiling Star, bred by Mike Stratford, was passed in for $12,000 at the yearling sales. He then joined the Holmes stable to be broken in and educated.
Smiling Star was gelded and won two trials in July. A $70,000 offer was made for Smiling Star after he qualified at Rangiora in July. Holmes was keen to retain the horse and he and wife Carla organised the syndicate of 10 shares.
• Dudinka's Angel, who was leased recently by Gavin Chin and Chris Heng, of Mosgiel, won first up last night. The 4yr-old daughter of Christian Cullen and Dudinka is trained by David Mitchell. She qualified last season when trained by Gareth Dixon. Dudinka's Angel is a sister to Dudinka's Cullen (six wins) and Dudinka's Christian (five).
• Raglan will be driven by Darren Hancock in his first Australian start at Menangle tomorrow night. The Tim Butt-trained Raglan was exported after winning a trial at Ashburton eight days ago. The Butt brothers Tim and Anthony, are establishing a satellite stable based on the Hancock property at Pheasant's Nest. Raglan has won nine races.
Anthony said last night he would take more horses to join the stable in three weeks, They would include Lisagain, an American importation.
Lisagain, a 6yr-old entire, has won 17 races and taken a mile record of 1.49.2.
• The New South Wales Harness Racing Club has been named to host the Interdominion grand final at Menangle from 2013 to 2015 inclusive.
The new-look format will encompass seven qualifying heats conducted across Australia and New Zealand with the winners guaranteed a start in the 14-horse grand final.
The next seven highest-ranked placegetters will also earn a start in the $750,000 Interdominion (3000m) grand final.
"The qualifying heat winners will get first choice of their barrier positions," NSW Harness Racing chief executive Sam Nati said.
The Interdominion grand final will be one of six group one races on the programme.
