Breeders Denis and Jo Howe have plenty to smile about following the success of their Mataranka Park bred colt by Sweet Lou out of Bang Bang Molly, who sold for $80,000 at the 2024 Nutrien Sydney Yearling Sale to Mick Boots of Boots Properties Racing Pty Ltd.
Now racing as Hollywood Strip, the colt is unbeaten in five starts as a two-year-old and boasts a 1:50 record with stakes of $129,984 — boosted by a $90,000 victory in the Group One NSW Breeders Challenge Final at Menangle on Saturday night.
Adding to the story, Hollywood Strip defeated another Mick Boots-owned youngster, Berocca Bernie, who also went through the 2024 Nutrien Sydney Yearling Sale. Offered by Medowie Lodge and passed in at auction, Berocca Bernie was later purchased by Mick Boots.
Hollywood Strip’s trainer Brad Hewitt was all smiles on Saturday night, with his uncle Bernie Hewitt training both the second and third placegetters, Berocca Bernie and Lexy. Keeping it a true family affair, Brad’s brother Sam Hewitt trained Ark Sea to victory in the 2YO Fillies Breeders Challenge Final, narrowly beating Sparkling Sea, trained by their father David Hewitt.
The good news doesn’t stop there — Denis and Jo Howe of Mataranka Park Standardbreds will present Lot 18 at the 2026 Nutrien Sydney Yearling Sale, a full brother to the talented Hollywood Strip.
And as the say in the classics, “but wait, there’s more!” Lot 18 is also a full brother to Smaltese (11 wins, $128,888) and Kerbang (8 wins, $85,238).
The 2026 Nutrien Sydney Yearling Sale catalogue, along with the Nutrien Sunshine Stars catalogue, is now available online at https://www.nutrienstandardbred.com.au/