The level of excitement that comes with the first juvenile race of the new season is like none other.
There is a whole wave of talent ready to burst out. Owners, breeders and trainers are filled with nervous anticipation as the youngsters prepare for the potentially big money riches that lay ahead.
After months of valuable time and energy, they’re asking themselves the question of whether they’ve got the horse that can take them to the promised land.
Is the next big thing amongst their crops?
Back in late February, on a typically humid summer’s day in the Sunshine State, the first two-year-old race of the 2026 season took place at Albion Park.
Seven runners listed to start although cut down to six owing to a race morning scratching, the energy was palpable.
Punters warmed to the colt from the Haigslea stables of Gemma Hewitt, a precocious type who appeared mature and extremely talented.
His name: Scar Struck.
Starting from the barrier two, Scar Struck sped to the early lead and never gave rivals a chance of running him down over the distance of 1660m.
He paced the mile in 1:58.0. Sectionals of 29.5, 32.1, 28.3 and 28.2 seconds.
Scar Struck scored comfortably over Parisian Hustler and Head Rush, both of which performed admirably.
But the story is about the winner. Who is Scar Struck? Where did he originate? And what does the future hold?
Born and raised at the famed nursery of Success Stud at Young in New South Wales, owned and operated by Jackie Gibson and her mother, Mary, carrying on a legacy established with the late John Gibson some 57 years ago, the prized farm continues to set the standard with the breeding and rearing of young standardbred stock.
Scar Struck, aka Frankie, is a colt by Dancin Lou, an exciting first season siring prospect and son of super sire Sweet Lou from the six-win Changeover mare Kotiro.
Following three unplaced efforts in New Zealand back in 2019, Kotiro was purchased and brought to Australia where she managed four wins in New South Wales (Newcastle, Tamworth, Parkes and Bathurst) before being moved to Queensland.
Under the care of Cristina Monte, Kotiro managed to win another two races, both at Albion Park, including a personal best of 1:54.5 before retirement.
At stud, her first foal was Tamitane Tane, a gelded son of Ohoka Punter, who has managed to win a race from 15 starts to date.
Her next foal was Scar Struck.
Despite being foaled in New South Wales, Scar Struck is eligible for the QBRED futurity scheme given the fact that Dancin Lou was based in Queensland.
The colt was offered at the 2025 Sunshine Stars Yearling Sales at Albion Park. He was part of the Medowie Lodge and Darren Reay draft and fetched $15,000 when purchased by Mark Tiedemann, an original owner.
A new ownership group was constructed and headed by Brendan Micallef of BPM Bloodstock Trust, and the colt returned to Medowie Lodge to be broken in and educated.
Soon after, the colt was switched back to Queensland and placed in the care of Hewitt who was training Tamitane Tane at the time.
“We got him for the second preparation and we [Brendan Barnes, partner] liked him immediately. His attitude has always been amazing, intelligent and willing to learn and that’s made him easy to train,” Hewitt said.
“Over the last couple of years, I’ve probably had up to about four or five horses for Brendan, and we’ve experienced some success but hopefully the best is still to come, and this guy looks like he’s a little better than average.”
The naming of Scar Struck comes from a scar on his offside hind. He carried this scarring heading into the sale and it may explain why he didn’t quite hit the mark like connections were hoping.
But it’s never bothered him.
“I’m certain that may have turned potential buyers away. It’s not pretty but it’s there. I’ve had my vet (Dr) Mark McGarry go over it completely and he can’t find fault or issue with it. [It’s] obviously just scarring from a fence mishap,” Hewitt said.
“Each and every campaign in the lead up to his debut was really pleasing. We’ve left him a colt because he doesn’t know he’s a colt. He got out one day and just went looking for feed rather than chasing girls.
“Brendan is quite shocked by his attitude; it’s his standout quality. When he travels to the races and even standing in the tie-up stalls, he’ll have fillies and mares nearby and it doesn’t bother him.”
Scar Struck had his first public mobile Green educational workout at Albion Park on January 13 followed by another the following week.
His qualifying trial came on January 30 when he finished a very encouraging fourth against older horses in a time of 1:57.4 – beaten 10.4m.
Another qualifying trial was undertaken on February 17, and he scored comfortably in a time of 1:58.9.
He was ready for his race debut the following week, and it was a case of rinse and repeat.
“It was very satisfying and more than pleasing, connections have been patient and this was great reward for them. Securing the all-important 1st win QBRED bonus is crucial and he achieved it at his first start,” Hewitt said.
“He’s eligible for many features including the Bathurst Gold Crown, QBRED, NSW Breeders Challenge, Nutrien plus the Sunshine Stars series so it looks like we have several options.
“I took a pair of youngsters (Kash Fund and Iam Hugo) down to Bathurst last year, but this guy looks more readied for that series. He deserves his opportunity.”
Busy times ahead, but exciting at the same time.
The way it should be.
