Former Australian galloper Keep the Faith smashed the all time North American record for six furlongs (a1200m) when he scored an outstanding first up win in a claiming event at Belmont Park early this morning in the United States.

A $1.2 million yearling purchase, Keep the Faith showed exceptional early promise in his career and debuted in Adelaide with a stunning juvenile win for Lindsay Park trainer Tony McEvoy.

The colt trained on as a three-year-old to become a stakes winner at Caulfield in Melbourne before he lost form when he headed north to Sydney to contest races including the Group One Canterbury Guineas (won by Niello).

This morning's American race was Keep the Faith's first start since finishing sixth to Lonhro in the George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill in April 2004.

The entire sat fourth on the fence in a field of five before gaining a dream run up on the rail at the point of the home turn. He raced clear in the straight to win, going away by two and a half lengths.

Keep the Faith (ex Duelling Girl by Dayjur), a son of Japanese siring sensation Sunday Silence, stopped the clock at 1-06.82 on the dirt.

Raced by the powerful Godolphin team, Keep the Faith was ridden expertly by ace American hoop John Velazquez for trainer Saeed Bin Suroor.

The previous Belmont Park track record for the trip was held for many years by Lynden Park Stud resident sire Masterclass - the sire of recent Melbourne and Sydney winners Distilled, Ausbred King and Change of Class.

The previous North American record of 1-07 was set by Answer Do in December 1990.

PICS - Quentin Lang.