Trainer Ron Macrae has given promising sprinter Regal Castanea a glowing reference ahead of his attempt at a hat-trick of wins at Doomben Saturday.The Toowoomba-based Macrae believes a win from Regal Castanea in the Craiglea Stud Handicap (1615m) will take him a step closer to joining Show Biz Kid as the best sprinter he's trained in his long career.Regal Castanea is backing up a week after recording his third victory from his past four starts with a runaway win over 1400 metres at Eagle Farm.Ma

Trainer Ron Macrae has given promising sprinter Regal Castanea a glowing reference ahead of his attempt at a hat-trick of wins at Doomben Saturday.

The Toowoomba-based Macrae believes a win from Regal Castanea in the Craiglea Stud Handicap (1615m) will take him a step closer to joining Show Biz Kid as the best sprinter he's trained in his long career.

Regal Castanea is backing up a week after recording his third victory from his past four starts with a runaway win over 1400 metres at Eagle Farm.

Macrae will give the four-year-old a short break after another run in two weeks before preparing him for the Listed Brisbane Handicap (1600m) at Eagle Farm on November 15 and the Listed Recognition Stakes (1400m) on the same track on November 29.

He also is keen to tackle either the Listed Bernborough Handicap (1615m) at Doomben or the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast in January.

It's a similar path Macrae travelled with his former top performer Kiwi Warrior who won the Brisbane Handicap in 2001 before going on to finish second in the Recognition Stakes and Bernborough Handicap.

"Show Biz Kid is probably the best sprinter I've had but this bloke is headed in the same direction," Macrae said.

"He's not there yet but he soon will be if he keeps improving."

Show Biz Kid won almost $560,000 in prizemoney for his connections with nine wins and 19 placings from a 59-start career.

His best victory was in the Group Three Summer Stakes (1350m) at Doomben in 2004 but Macrae believes he was unlucky not to succeed at elite level when fourth to Red Oog in the Group One Doomben 10,000 (1350m) in 2005.

"He was fifth on the fence behind Red Oog and Takeover Target in the 10,000 and when he went to take a run it closed on him and he was only beaten just over one length," Macrae said.

Macrae has never been tempted to send Regal Castanea interstate and is prepared to bide his time and wait for next year's Brisbane winter carnival.

"He doesn't turn four until November and I'm in no hurry to take him away yet even though his owners live in Sydney," he said.

Macrae acknowledges Regal Castanea faces his moment of truth Saturday when he steps up to 1600 metres for the first time in his career.

"It's a bit of an ask for him tomorrow going to 1600 metres and carrying 58 kilos," he said.

"But it doesn't look an overly strong field and he'll be thereabouts.

"I liked his win last week. He beat them quick and then backed off in the last 50 metres."

Regal Castanea has already proven a bargain buy earning more than $172,000 in prizemoney after being purchased for only $25,000 at the Magic Millions yearling sales.