The Gai Waterhouse trained colt, a three-year-old by Danehill, finished fourth in the Exchange Maiden Handicap (1000m) at Randwick.

A $1.1 million purchase at the 2001 Australian Easter Yearling Sale in Sydney, Stanford was the $3.60 favourite in his debut run today after two handy trial efforts in recent weeks.

But with Chris Munce in the saddle the colt was unable to run a place, finishing behind the outsider Mystical Lad and fellow placegetters Raise a Knight and Lookalike. The winner set a new class record, stopping the clock at a swift 58.9 seconds.

Stanford is by the champion shuttle sire Danehill, a stallion who'll miss his first Australian season in over 15 years this spring. A Coolmore stallion, Danehill is the current undisputed heavyweight champion in Australian racing.

The million dollar colt is out of the multiple city winning Bluebird mare Rossignol. She is out of the Group Three winner River Dane and is a half sister to Idol Worship (dam of Cult Figure) and Sisterhood (dam of Livelihood and grandam of Happy Giggle).

He is a member of the famous Audrey Joan family. The same family responsible for the likes of Pure of Heart, Lion Hunter, Simply Believe, Field Hand, Prego, Son of Joan, Danhagen, Cloonagh, Faith Hill and River Dane.

Stanford is a half brother to the Bill Stutt Stakes winner Schubert, a winner of no less than six races and just shy of $1.4 million in stakes.

Connections of Stanford will be hoping he improves in distance, like his breeding indicates, as he is already entered for some feature races this spring in Melbourne.

His name was among the entries for the $1 million Carlton Draught Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 12 and the $1.25 million AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) on November 2 when entries for both races were received on Friday.