Nova Star pulled away from the field in the closing stages of the $65,000 Initiation race (1200m) to win with stablemate Herecomesmymoney just behind him, giving trainer David Kok the forecast on Friday.

Nova Star did show some promise at his last start where at a Restricted Maiden event over 1200m on July 31, he ran on well from barrier one, only to be bumped at the 500m mark to eventually finish unplaced.

There was to be no repeat this time round. While Southern Hussler was bounced to the head of the pack by Matthew Kellady, Nova Star (Shafiq Rizuan), who started the race as the $25 second fancy took advantage of his inside barrier to jump himself into a comfortable position in midfield two off the rails.

At the top of the straight, the four-year-old son of Battle Paint squeezed his way to the front to battle for the lead with the leading pack that included $18 race favourite Mighty Kenny (Barend Vorster).

Inside the last furlong, it was Nova Star that emerged ahead of the rest and he went on to hit the line first, one-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of his stablemate Herecomesmymoney (Azhar Ismail). Duran (Benny Woodworth) was third a further half a length behind.

The winning time was 1min 11.86secs for the 1200m on the Polytrack.

Shafiq was not surprised that his mount took the race in the manner he did.

“From his last start I can tell he has already improved,” said the current Apprentice Jockey Premiership runaway leader.

“The last time when he ran 1200m he got checked but only lost by around three lengths.

“Today was a weak field and with the good draw, the boss told me to keep him in third or fourth position and don’t get checked.

“This time he won over 1200m. Maybe he needs more gound.”

Kok, who was scoring a rare quinella, had expected a good showing from Nova Star, but Herecomesmymoney's strong finish for second came as a pleasant surprise.

“I expected a good run from him (Nova Star) as he has trialled well and the field today wasn’t strong,” shared Kok.

“I told Shafiq to stay with the pace and not to lose it because he is a bit of a one-paced horse.

“He has proven he can run over 1200m. Maybe in future we can step him up in distance.

“I also expected Herecomesmymoney to run well but I am surprised he got second. For him, 1200m should be the right distance for him.”

With this win, Nova Star has brought home stakes earnings of around $35,000 for the Nova Racing Stable and their connections.