Stars Align and Motu Meteor, former NZ stablemates in the All Stars stable of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen stable, were successful in Australasian Breeders Crown Heats at Bendigo, Victoria, on Friday night.

The former, who remains in the ownership of New Zealanders Glenys and Phil Kennard, Phil and Margaret Creighton and Gavin Douglas, along with Australian Kevin Riseley, was transferred to the Victorian stable of Dean Braun after running fifth to Jack's Legend in the Harness Jewels 3YO Emerald at Ashburton on June 3.

He has been beaten into second only once since arriving in Melbourne, winning five of six starts in Australia.

Stars Align, from a second-row barrier, moved up parked on the final lap on Friday in the hands of expatriate Kiwi driver Anthony Butt and won as a $1.70 favourite in a 1:55.7 mile rate for the 2150m.

A race later Motu Meteor, raced by Melbourne owners Merv and Meg Butterworth, led throughout his Australasian Breeders Crown Heat for Victorian trainer-driver Kerryn Manning, winning easily as a $1.60 favourite in a 1:55.4 mile rate.

Motu Meteor joined the Manning stable after running seventh to Raukapuka Ruler in the Northern Derby at Auckland on March 10. In five starts since transferring to Manning, he's won three and also recorded a second and a fourth.