By Peter Wharton
Lilydale hobby breeder Shane Hawes is probably best known as the breeder-owner of the smart racemare Ark Breeze, the winner of the 2016 Granny Smith and runner-up in the Bandbox.
He will be offering the first offspring of the Stonebridge Regal mare, a lovely colt from the initial crop of the USA Breeders Crown and Adios winner Racing Hill at the Tasmanian Harness Sale at Carrick on Saturday, February 15.
The colt ranks as a half-brother to Frankie Falzoni (11 wins and $81,890) and recent Launceston winner Ark Fury, who were both bred by Hawes.
He is Lot 1 in the catalogue.
The other entry from Hawes is a bay colt from the first crop of the dual Vicbred champion and Chariots of Fire and South Australian Pacing Cup winner Guaranteed.
The colt’s dam, Flightofthedragon, is a Shadow Play daughter of the Matron Stakes winner Penny’s Dragon and is a member of the same family as the Tasmanian classics winners Carla Ross, Celtic Ross and Ellie Ross.
He is the first foal of his unraced dam and is listed as Lot 10.
Both colts are being prepared for the sale by Bangor horsemen Michael and Jim Smith, of All Style Sammy fame.
Hawes, a retired smelter worker, has been involved in harness racing since 1996. His other credits include the Belmont winner Our Meadow Lady, the Dandy Patch placegetter Rockandahardplace, Just Lucky (8 wins), Apache River, Barbies Ticket and Dont Blink.