The G1 Telegraph this year contained a lot of rising talent in the sprinting ranks with large numbers of 4yos hoping to show they were the real deal. In the end a 5yo fresh up won ridiculously easily in what was his first win since May of 2014 and before that his next win came in December of 2013. Sacred Star, an Australian bred unsurprisingly, won by four lengths in 1:07.01 and carried 57kg. He is clearly best fresh up and now realized as a sprinter/miler plus the demolition job the 5yo gelding did was astounding for several reasons. He was not really competitive last spring in New Zealand at G1 under WFA and was ninth behind Costume that was beaten out of sight afterwards in Australia. His fourth behind the old Hong Kong galloper Pure Champion also puts things into perspective. Last winter he won the G2 QTC Cup in Brisbane fresh up over Masthead but that was not a strong G2 at all but then ran a ripper for fifth in the G1 Stradbroke under 53kg won in an upset by River Lad. How strong that form really is has to be debatable looking at the hits and misses since from both races. This time last summer he was placed behind the likes of Viadana and fifth too Chintz but both those have disappointed since more than once in Australia. He may have fully matured and come up better this year so all will be known next time out when tackling G1 under WFA at 1400m (he was stiff when second to Viadana in the race last year). How can any excuses be made for the rest when spaced so far by the topweight? The time is bionic but Trentham chute times always are and today for factual comparison the juvenile winner (same stable as Sacred Star) ran 1:09 and change and a Ratings 75 winner ran 1:08 and change. Sacred Star second rated this field after sitting wide with cover just ahead of the midfield and to record his seventh success in twenty-two outings. He ran third at this Trentham carnival last year in the G1 Thorndon Mile with 53kg behind a pregnant upsetter in A Touch Of Ruby and Costume. Second home today was the 4yo mare Designated Driver that came from well back and powered through between runners the closing stages. She had run a shocker prior when sixth of seven beaten over nine lengths but today has a G1 placing on her dance card. Third was Trepidation, also a mare, that had run a slashing fourth prior in the G1 Railway so to get the third here was big also for her broodmare chart. She was midfield covered up and got onto the winners slipstream midrace but obviously could not lengthen like he did with such strapping strides. Trepidation closed well down the outer and just beat Durham Town out of third money in a stirring finish for the minors. The second placegetter to seventh were separated by just a length and three quarters. Durham Town was wide on the pace throughout so to stick on was brave but also does bring the required realism into the form worth. Soubrettes the wee South Island sensation finished fifth and while at first glance was disappointing after starting a clear favourite the 4yo did well all things considered. Her inside gate was no help and after getting buried on the inner she finally worked out halfway up the home straight and was sixth at the 200m when rider David Walsh pushed the detonator. He never got the usual boom and the inexperienced mare was not running straight and true but she boxed on and for a rookie and has it all ahead still. Adventador the leader wilted the final 50m when still a place chance and then the 4yo mare Silver Eclipse came with a big finish down the outer late from last turning in. Spitfire Lady was not too bad and Whosyourmaster a tad disappointing. In Style (the G1 Railway winner prior) and stablemate Tomorrowland both flopped. Natuzzi the big closer was tardy and second last turning for home but ran on late plus he never quite hit out the opening quarter to half of the race surprisingly. The rest were either too wide or outclassed and how they all pulled up is sure to contain some tender feet and legs. Sacred Star dished out one of the biggest G1 sprint beatings seen for a long time and what does that say about the actual depth in New Zealand? Durham Town last won a race in November at 2013 at G3 and before that in March of 2012 also at G3 and has been well tried and beaten in Australia. On his win today Sacred Star should win the G1 feature easily at Te Rapa but racing is never that simple as some new kids on the block could appear or resume. Sacred Star however may have in fact sacred the bejesus out of the expected sprinting opposition even though at WFA and could cause a small field to line up in early February.