After producing the sale-topping lot at two of the last five editions of the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, Cambridge's Regal Farm is hoping for more of the same in 2018.
Regal Farm's first-ever sale-topper came in
2013, when a High Chaparral colt out of Deduction fetched $430,000.
Twelve months ago, Shane Crawford and Kara Waters' operation struck again. This time they had a Hinchinbrook colt out of El Ashb, which was sold to Hong Kong for $460,000.
"It was a thrill to have the sale-topper again last year," Crawford said. "It was a really good result."
Hinchinbrook lightning could strike again for Regal Farm, with the sought- after Australian sire again featuring among their 20-strong draft.
The demand for them is only added to by the tragic death in July of Hinchinbrook, a half-brother to current Australian champion sire Snitzel.
Lot 275 is a colt out of the winning Nuclear Freeze mare Stella's Delight, a half-sister to two stakes winners. Torio's Quest won the Gr. 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) and the Magic Millions Guineas (1200m), while Bippo No Bogus won at Listed level in Perth and placed in Melbourne's Gr. 2 Sunline Stakes (1600m).
Sacred Falls, Giant's Steps, Smart Missile, Jimmy Choux, Bullbars, Sweet Orange, Holy Roman Emperor, Dalghar, Reset, Wandjina, Makfi, He's Remarkable, Iffraaj, Snitzel, Zacinto and Sebring are also represented in Regal Farm's draft.
"Overall, we're pretty happy with how our draft has come together this year," Crawford said.
"They're ticking along well heading into the sale. The weather has played its part in the last few weeks, which hasn't always been the case.
"We've got a good mixture of stallions in our draft, and hopefully most buyers will find something to suit what they're looking for."
Regal Farm's Ready to Run roll of honour features the Group Two winner and Sydney Cup placegetter Zacada, along with other black-type performers such as Mongolian Wolf, Clarify and Illuminati. – The Informant
