News just in ‘around the grounds’ at Callaghan Park.
Published 6 February 2025
RACING QUEENSLAND PROGRAMS ADDITIONAL RACE FOR FRIDAY 14TH
Racing Queensland has added an additional QTIS bonus race plus or the RJC’s race meeting on Friday 14 February. In addition to the QTIS Jewel Qualifier previously scheduled, the program now has a Maiden Handicap 1200m with QTIS added for 3yo’s only. On top of the prizemoney, the QTIS added bonuses on this race are for 3yo Colts & Geldings – $12,000 and for 3yo Fillies $18,000. Nominations for all races close at 11.00 am on Monday10 February.
RJC REACHES OUT TO NORTHERN TRAINERS WITH AN INCENTIVE TO RACE HERE
An RJC / ATA initiative has been put in place to assist our Northern neighbours who are finding it difficult to get their horses raced during the big wet. Races were lost in Cairns Townsville and Mackay over the last seven days with many of our industry’s participants suffering heartache and difficulties during the northern floods.
After a quick discussion on Thursday morning with the ATA, the RJC had no hesitation in providing the Rockhampton meeting as option to trainers, particularly those trainers in the areas north of Mackay. The RJC is offering a travel incentive to any trainer, domiciled north of Mackay (I.e Bowen, Home Hill Townsville regions) who starts a horse at next week’s Callaghan Park race meeting. The RJC will provide a subsidy of $200 per horse (up to a total of $2000) to these trainers to assist them with travel and staffing costs.
TRIALS AND JUMPOUTS RESCHEDULED TO MONDAY MORNING
The RJC lost its trials on Thursday morning due to the persistent overnight rain, but the Club has rescheduled them to be conducted on Monday morning (10 February) at Callaghan Park.
Racing Queensland called for fresh nominations for the official trials which will be run over 900m. The 500m RJC Jump outs are scheduled to be held after the trials.
TAYLORS STAR DUO AND AN INTERESTING NEWCOMER GET READY FOR LOCAL RACES
Chinny Boom and Astapor, two of Rockhampton’s most talented horses, are back in leading trainer Clinton Taylor’s care and will have official trials at Callaghan Park on Monday in preparation for their race returns. Both stable stars raced in southern states under the guidance of different trainers during the second half of last year. Chinny Boom and Astapor have already had a jump out, both looking quite sharp at Callaghan Park last month. Meanwhile Taylor has an interesting newcomer being prepared for racing in Rockhampton. Henry’s Blade, by Harry’s Angel from former classy mare Miss Scarlatti has joined the stable and will jump out at Callaghan Park.
Previously trained by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, Henry’s Blade’s mother Scarlatti was a very smart mare for Hall of Fame trainer Lee Freedman. It took a champion in Samantha Miss to defeat Miss Scarlatti in the Group 1 VRC Oaks. She won close to half a million in prize money and was only lightly raced. Henry’s Blade, whose other relatives include Destiny’s Kiss (19 wins), won a Maiden last year at Donald in Victoria. His early runs include a fourth place at Moonee Valley, finishing right on the heels of the promising Nathan Dunn-trained galloper Quebeck, in a Maiden Plate.
RJC TO SHARE LOVE ON VALENTINE’S DAY
The RJC will be sharing the love at the racetrack on Valentine’s Day on Friday with our promotion ensuring a fun-filled afternoon. The Rockhampton Jockey Club invites you to bring that special someone to the track with our staff offering hot platters and dessert platters for two, plus a complimentary glass of bubbles, beer or wine. For more information on how you can join in the fun and take up our special offer, contact Nicole on 4937 4000.
CAPRICORNIA YEARLING SALE NOMINATIONS EXCEED CLUB’S EXPECTATIONS
The Rockhampton jockey club has received more nominations than expected for the 2025 Capricornia Yearling Sale.
The Club is looking to have Magic Millions auction around 110 lots in the Robert Schwarten Pavillion at the Rockhampton Showgrounds on 13 April. With nominations now closed, the catalogue for the Sale will be finalised in the coming weeks. The Sale follows two days of racing at Callaghan Park, on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 April, featuring races carrying over $600,000 in prize money, which include the annual 2YO Classic (1200m).
Last year 112 lots were catalogued with Magic Millions auctioning 109 yearlings, grossing $1,087,500 in sales. The top price paid for a yearling at the Sale was $80,000 with an average price of $12, 358.
MAYOR’S CUP ON CLASSIC DAY
The annual Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor’s Cup will once again be one of the highlights during the two day, Capricornia Classic race carnival at Callaghan Park in April
The feature Open Cup is raced on Saturday 12 April with the trophies presented to the winning connections by Mayor Tony Williams.
BROOKE JOHNSON BACK IN THE SADDLE
Apprentice jockey Brooke Johnson is back riding and was due to return to the races at the cancelled Mackay race meeting this week.
Now with Emerald trainer Glenda Bell, Johnson had plenty of success when indentured to Clinton Taylor in Rockhampton. The apprentice’s return fills a void in the west left by apprentice jockey Nikki Olzard who is now back riding in Rockhampton after a very successful stint in the central west with Raymond Williams.
BRISBANE WINTER RACING CARNIVAL OFFERS MORE THAN $28 MILLION.
The Queensland Winter Racing Carnival will offer more than $28 million in prizemoney this year with nine-million-dollar races and 55 black type races promising the most lucrative and innovative carnival in history.
The Winter Racing Carnival will take place from May 3 to July 5, headlined by eight Group 1 events – across 11 race meetings. The $3 million The Star Stradbroke Handicap spearheads a trio of million-dollar sprints that will attract Australia’s premier gallopers to the Sunshine State, with the $1.5 million Doomben 10,000 and $1 million Kingsford Smith Cup both iconic and sought after prizes. Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said the State Government is proud to support the Queensland Racing Carnival.
“The Queensland Racing Carnival helps drive racing’s $2.4 billion economic contribution to the state each year,” he said.
RJC CEO, David Aldred.
WHAT’S ON AT CALLAGHAN PARK
- 14th February – Valentines Day Races featuring the rich QTIS Jewel Qualifier
- 25th February – TAB Races featuring 1 x QTIS bonus race
- 4th March – TAB Races featuring 2 x QTIS Bonus races
- 15th March – Patrick’s Day Races featuring (Table Bookings Essential)
- 25th March – TAB Races featuring 2 x QTIS Bonus races
All enquiries: Telephone: 4937 4000 | Email: www.callaghanpark.com.au
