Stradbroke Next for Ole Kirk’s Regal Award

Talented three-year-old son of Ole Kirk, Regal Award, has stamped himself as a genuine Group 1 contender after producing a dominant performance to capture the Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Having consistently measured up against high-quality opposition throughout his career, the progressive gelding now has his sights firmly set on Queensland’s premier sprint, the $3 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap to be run at Eagle Farm in a fortnight.

Under a confident ride from Lachlan Neindorf, Regal Award enjoyed a comfortable run three wide throughout, settling just behind the pace set by Grafterburners and Skyhook. Travelling strongly approaching the home turn, Neindorf eased the gelding into the clear at the 300m mark to power away to score impressively holding off the fast-finishing favourite Brave Monarch and Skyhook who held on for third.

Trainer Philip Stokes was thrilled to see the gelding breakthrough for his first Stakes victory and believes the win has earned him a shot at Group 1 glory.

“He has done well since he has been here in Queensland and it looks like we have got to keep him here for another two weeks for the Stradbroke now,” Stokes said.

“It was great the horse found his A-game today.

“I am wrapped for (jockey) Lachie Neindorf because he has done a lot of work with this horse.”

The victory was a deserved reward for Regal Award and his owners who has now recorded three wins and two Stakes placings from ten start and earnings surpassing $400,000.

Bred by G & C Pastoral Co, Regal Award was raised at Vinery and retained to race by his breeders, who also raced his dam, the multiple Group 3-winning Shamus Award mare Sovereign Award.

Regal Award’s success delivered Vinery’s exciting young Champion First Season Sire Ole Kirk’s seventh Stakes winner who stands for a fee of $110,000 inc. GST in 2026.

The Group 3 Fred Best Classic victory has seen Regal Award firm considerably in Stradbroke Handicap markets, where his light weight of just 49.5kg could prove a major advantage against the older more seasoned sprinters.

A Super Sunday at Sha Tin for All Too Hard

It was a standout day for Vinery sire All Too Hard at Sha Tin on Sunday, highlighted by Patch Of Stars claiming the Group 3 Sha Tin Vase and Ka Ying Lightning producing an impressive winning debut. The successful afternoon was further boosted by strong performances from Ka Ying Radiance and Ever Wealth, filling the frame to finish second and third in their respective races.

A winner of seven of his past 17 starts, four-year-old Patch Of Stars has continued his rapid rise through the Hong Kong ranks and took the next step at stakes level with a deserved breakthrough black-type victory.

Prepared by Manfred Man, the gelding started favourite and enjoyed a perfect rails run under jockey Karis Teetan. Bursting through at the 300-metre mark, Patch Of Stars surged clear before holding off the late challenge of Raging Blizzard to score by a neck.

Originally sold for $100,000 in Book 2 of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Baramul Stud, Patch Of Stars was purchased by Riversley Park and Michael Guerin before being reoffered through the NZB Ready to Run Sale, where he realised $800,000 to current owner Yeung Kin Man.

Patch Of Stars is the first stakes winner and one of four winners from the well-related mare Tuscany Lady, who is due to foal to All Too Hard again this season.

Another graduate of the NZB Ready to Run Sale, Ka Ying Lightning provided All Too Hard with a second winner on the card when producing a thrilling debut victory. The David Hall-trained three-year-old was purchased by Matt Vella Bloodstock for $120,000 from Book 1 of Karaka before being sold to John Foote for $200,000 at New Zealand’s premier horses-in-training sale.

The day was capped by further excellent performances from the sire’s progeny, with the David Hayes-trained Ka Ying Radiance finishing second, while Ever Wealth recorded his second placing from as many starts to round out a highly successful afternoon for All Too Hard at Sha Tin.

The Group 3 success became the 35th stakes winner for All Too Hard, who will stand at Vinery this season for $27,500 inc. GST.