Danny Walker savoured a bonus win with the promising youngster Star Performance at Te Rapa.
The Byerley Park trainer was encouraged to step the two-year-old out on a reasonable surface on Saturday and the debutant showed his appreciation by winning the Cambridge Equine Hospital Premier (1200m) on debut.
"It was the last roll of the dice really for a good track in the autumn and I'll put him aside now," he said.
Star Performance has been unbeaten in all three of his lead-up trials and Walker is upbeat about the Per Incanto gelding's future.
"Everything I've done with this horse has been aimed toward his three-year-old season," Walker said.
Rider Alysha Collett settled Star Performer
three back on the fence and he rounded off strongly closest to the rail for the
perfect start to his career.
"I said to Alysha to ride him as he jumped and I would just have been happy to see him do things right and be running on," Walker said.
A $250,000 Karaka yearling purchased out of Little Avondale Stud's draft, Star Performance is a half-brother to the Gr.3 Manawatu Cup (2300m) winner and Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) placegetter Jacksstar.
Front-runner Nirvana In Fire fought on gallantly to finish runner-up ahead of Qiji Express, who did well after covering extra ground from an awkward gate. – NZ Racing Desk.
