The CR Commando 7yr-old, who last raced at Oamaru on June 16, finishing second behind Jag's Invasion, was sent to the lead by trainer-driver Alan Clark and held off late bids by the Jonny Cox and Amber Hoffman-trained pair of Jaccka Justy and Jaccka Jack to win in 2.50.7.
Clark said the long-term goals for the winner of 25 races were the group races in October and November, but the first step begins at Addington on Friday.
''He's still carrying a bit of condition, but he sprinted well today,'' Clark said.
Jaccka Justy and Jaccka Jack were having their first hit-outs since rejoining Jonny Cox and Amber Hoffman's Westwood Beach operation from the Southland property of their breeders, Charlie and Ailsa Smaill, last Wednesday.
Jaccka Justy is a couple of trial runs away from a race start, Cox said, and he is relying on the kindness of race officials for Jaccka Jack to start at Forbury Park on August 29.
''I'm hoping they might give him a bit of a let-up at Forbury next week,'' Cox said.
''It's a 1-win front, but he hasn't started since New Zealand Cup week [last November] and hasn't placed in his last nine or 10 starts so we'll see what the handicapper gives him.
''Otherwise, it's a trip to Addington for both of them, really.''
Cox and Hoffman also had trial wins with Perfect Sunrise and Homeforabubbly, who could add a few wins to the new training partnership's tally by the end of the season.
''He'll start at Forbury as well. He's a lot more forward than I thought he was,'' Cox said.
''He's still learning the game, and is still pretty green, being a Holmes Hanover. But I think if he stays fit and well, he'll do a good job.''
Sunstar may have turned 2 officially, but as an October 2011 foal, he belied his age with a solid effort for trainer-driver Alan Clark yesterday.
While the son of Sundon and Constar missed out on qualifying by 1.5sec, the cold and windy conditions, and the fact he was trotting on his own were probably the only factors stopping him from qualifying yesterday.
He had a smooth gait from the moment the mobile pulled away from the 1700m mark, and has inherited his dam's ability to be up and running as a 2yr-old.
Mach Three 3yr-old gelding Starsky's Dream was the sole qualifier on the day, pacing away from stablemate Mako Banner to win the qualifying mobile pace in 2.54.1 - 1sec under the qualifying time.
His trainer, Graeme Anderson, said the gelding would have a break for a month.
