A Gippsland bred harness racing yearling colt sold for $150,000 at Sunday's Australian Pacing Gold Melbourne sales.
Bred by Fusinato Bloodstock (Greg, John and Kath Fusinato), the striking youngster, by top American stallion Somebeachsomewhere from former top local race mare Cyclone Betty, attracted huge interest from bidders.
The colt is a full brother to the outstanding New Zealand trained three-year-old Our Waikiki Beach, undefeated in 14 race starts.
Our Waikiki Beach won over $500,000 in stakemoney in his first season of racing, courtesy of victories in the Australian Pacing Gold, Breeders Crown and Breeders Challenge race series.
He was also declared Australia's Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt of the Year for 2015.
Clients of the Mike Read stable in Western Australia have bought the yearling colt, and they will be hoping lightning does strike twice given the horse is so well related.
Our Waikiki Beach is the first foal from Cyclone Betty – she foaled another colt in late 2014 but has yet to produce a filly, which would also prove exceptionally valuable as a future breeding prospect.
Two other yearlings bred by Fusinato Bloodstock also sold at the sales, but for significantly less than the Cyclone Betty colt.
The high priced yearling sales result is a great advertisement for Gippsland trotting.