Racing NSW chief steward Marc Van Gestel had to double check the stop clock after King Of Sparta ran dazzling time to set a 1200 metre track record at Kembla Grange.
On a course that was playing lightning quick, the three-year-old flew over the turf in 1m 07.89s, breaking the mark of 1m 08.44s established by Big Parade just two races earlier.
Gelded after a juvenile season which included a brace of fourth placings in stakes grade during the Sydney autumn carnival, King Of Sparta has now won two of his three starts as a three-year-old.
Co-trainer Paul Snowden said the horse had always shown ability and one of his biggest assets was his acceleration.
“He can certainly stretch out and run time,” Snowden said.
“When ridden the right way, he has an electric turn of foot.
“He has always been a nice horse and now he has been gelded, he could go right on with it.”
Starting a $4.40 favourite, King Of Sparta burst out of the pack and mowed down his rivals to coast to victory by 3-1/4 lengths over Selburose ($8.50) with Bacchanalia ($5) another half-length away.
Snowden confirmed the gelding will be given another chance in better grade and winning jockey James Mcdonald feels he is open to further improvement.
“The race worked out brilliantly for him and he enjoyed that good ground. He let rip with a furlong to go and it was a very impressive effort,” McDonald said.
“The horse is still a work in progress but it is obvious he is a very nice type and can only continue to improve.”
