Unbeaten colt Kingston Hill looked a superstar when running away with the G1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday.

Kingston Hill is a son of Coolmore Stud / Windsor Park shuttler Mastercraftsman who is assured of winning the European first-season sires’ premiership.  His Roger Varian-trained colt won a Newbury maiden on debut before landing the G3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket earlier this month.

Owner Paul Smith paid a late entry fee to start in the Racing Post Trophy and it proved to be money well spent as his colt triumphed by over four lengths from Johann Strauss (High Chaparral).

Bookmakers priced Kingston Hill at $9 to win the 2014 English 2000 Guineas and at $8 for the English Derby.  “He’s always looked a good mover,” Varian said.  “He does special things at home and what he’s done in the last six weeks has been very encouraging.

“He can accelerate and has the shape to be better next year.  We will have a good eye on the Guineas.”

Kingston Hill (2c Mastercraftsman – Audacieuse by Rainbow Quest) completed a Group double for his sire on Saturday.  The Kiwi shuttler had also been represented by Craftsman who won the G3 Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown.

Mastercraftsman (Danehill Dancer) won the G1 Phoenix and National Stakes at the Curragh at two and went on to win the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes as a three-year-old.

His first southern-crop runners include Tauherenikau winner Jackofall who was runner-up in Saturday’s LR Wellesley Stakes at Trentham.

Mastercraftsman stands for a 12,500 euros (NZD 20,815) fee in Ireland and for $17,500 at Windsor Park.