Franco Indie, a star son of Always B Miki, set a new New Zealand record when sensationally winning his second Sires Stakes heat at Ashburton.
Making a three wide move to the breeze midrace, Franco still proved too strong.
He powered home in 26.9 to record a milerate of 1:51.9 – well inside the previous record.
Franco Indie has won four of his five starts for earnings of $46,250.
He now heads to the Group 1 NZ Sires Stakes Final for which he is currently an odds on favourite.
Franco Indie was bred by Spreydon Lodge and is out of the Christian Cullen mare Idancedwithcullen.