Kiwi raider Scared Star is on target to secure a Group One Stradbroke Handicap start after a brilliant trial win at Doomben on Tuesday.
Ridden by race jockey Leith Innes, Sacred Star flew over the 840m of the trial in 48.18secs, one of the fastest times recorded in recent years.
He ran home his last 600m in 33secs in a gallop that was rated exceptional work.
Scared Star beat Adebisi, one of the fastest horses in Brisbane, by 1-1/4 lengths and looked to have a little in hand.
The gelding ran a full second faster than another 840m heat for open-class horses which was taken by top Brisbane sprinter Someday in 49.23secs.
Trained at Cambridge by Tony Pike, Scared Star was having his first serious hit-out since finishing second in the Group One NRM Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on February 8.
Sacred Star did the early part of his racing in Australia for top trainer Chris Waller winning at Newcastle and Rosehill.
The son of top sire Flying Spur is raced by the Raffles Thoroughbred Racing Syndicate who have had considerable success in Australia in recent years, highlighted by Sacred Falls’ two Doncaster Mile wins.
Pike is expected to run Sacred Star in the QTC Cup on May 31 as a lead-in to the Stradbroke on June 7.
The QTC Cup winner automatically qualifies for the Stradbroke.
Sacred Star has won $185,983 in prize money and will need to win the QTC or have some luck with a high drop-out rate to make the Stradbroke field.
Meanwhile, Adibesi will return to racing in the Chief de Beers Handicap at Doomben on May 24.
Adibesi hasn’t raced since a nose second to Group One winner Tiger Tees on Eagle Farm on February 22.