THE Wayne DaCosta-conditioned Poker Star came with a storming run in the deep stretch to win the 20th running of the $900,000 Sir Howard Stakes by six lengths at Caymanas Park yesterday.

The Restricted Allowance event for native-bred three-year-old colts and geldings, non-winners of two going over 1,200 metres, was another major prep race in the Classic campaign leading up to the 2,000 Guineas on April 6.

From a level break at the start, in-form jockey Robert Halledeen, riding in the popular pink, blue and white colours of owner Alexander Harber, held Poker Star (Liquidity – Buyabook by Take Me Out) in fourth position behind Somkey Topaz and Royal Assault, who dictated the early fraction with splits of 23:3 and 46:1 seconds, tracked closely by Ras Emanuel.

Halledeen then sent Poker Star in serious chase approaching the final bend when Royal Assault hit the front and began to increase the lead.

Turning for home on the inside, Poker Star responded well from the strong urging of Halledeen and blew past Royal Assault at the furlong for a convincing victory.

Royal Assault held his gallop to finish second ahead of Supertronics in third and Gold Screw in fourth.

The winning time was an encouraging 1:12:4 minutes.

“This horse is surely a Classic contender, but needs more time to develop,” DaCosta said.

Poker Star completed a triple for Halledeen and a double for DaCosta. Halledeen had earlier booted home Legal Account for DaCosta in the sixth race before he stole a march with Princess Sallema in the eighth race for trainer Dennis Lee.

Meanwhile, the vastly improved Crucial Appeal continued to show his liking for the five straight course with another good sprinting display to win his second Open Allowance race.

Crucial Appeal, with Dane Nelson riding for Patrick Lynch, was not the best to leave the starting gates but recovered quickly to race in second place behind the joint course-record holder Talented Tony K for most of the way before sprinting home to win by a length and a quarter from the fast-finishing Uncle Taf and Talented Tony K in 57:1 seconds.