Racing Review: Callaghan Park 25-03-25

SARAQAEL REMAINS UNBEATEN AS HE ADVANCES TO CAPRICORNIA 2YO CLASSIC

Unbeaten two-year-old Saraqael did enough to hold on to his spot as favourite for next month’s $168,000 Capricornia 2YO Classic, with a fighting victory at Callaghan Park’s Queensland Hoteliers Association race day on Tuesday.

A $8,000 bargain at last year’s Rockhampton sale, Saraqael has raced three times for three wins but this time he had to do it the hard way. He was challenged strongly in the straight by two newcomers, firstly by Ready and Betta (McKenzie Apel) and then Bitter Spirit (Raul Silvera Olivera).

Jockey Ryan Wiggins, standing in for trainer/jockey Warwick Satherley, guided Saraqael clear over the concluding stages to win well, but he then had to withstand a protest from the Silvera Olivera for interference over the concluding stages of the race.

Bitter Spirit was disappointed for a run, before darting back to the rails and finishing the race off strongly. Stewards dismissed the objection and the past the post placings stood.

Wiggins wasn’t concerned about the objection. His horse did wander in the straight, but the runner-up seemed to have its chance, when he cut back to the rails. Power Chic (Justin Stanley) finished third.

By Flying Artie from Beauty Is, Saraqael has been the standout graduate from last year’s Capricornia Yearling Sale with two Rockhampton wins and a Mackay victory, from as many starts.  The gelding is raced by Satherley’s partner Joanna Andersen and the trainer/jockey’s sister Susan Satherley.

Wiggins praised Saraqael’s natural ability and considered that the youngster was right on track for the 2YO Classic in two weeks. “He is just new,” the jockey told Satherley. “He had them covered today.”

Clinton Taylor trained both minor placegetters with Power Chic, also a graduate of last year’s Capricornia Yearling Sale, selling for $41,000, 12 months ago.

LADY SHENANDOAH’S HALF-SISTER, DILIGENT SCORES HER FIRST WIN

After finishing runner up at her first two Rockhampton starts, valuable mare Diligente broke through for an all-important first win in the Maiden Handicap (1400m).

Formerly from Brisbane, Diligente raced five times without success in the south before joining Taylor’s stable. Her three runs for the Berserker trainer have been the best of its career. The $1.40 favourite gave her supporters concern early when she was back behind the leaders in the home straight. Jockey Justin Stanley found a way clear, and Diligente burst through, the mare winning by over half a length at the finish.

Diligente defeated Send the Money (Brooke Johnson – $26.00) and Super Talon (McKenzie Apel-$5.00).

A $150,000 yearling by Pariah from Star Pupil, Diligente is a valuable, potential broodmare and any win beside her name will increase her worth.

Raced by Eureka Stud, she is a half-sister to the champion filly of the autumn in Sydney, Lady Shenandoah (by Snitzel. The Chris Waller-trained Lady Shenandoah has won five of its seven race starts, earning more than $1.8 million with two Group 1 wins at Randwick and Rosehill Gardens this month taking out the Coolmore Classic and the Surround Stakes.

SIGVART BACK IN WINNERS CIRCLE WITH MAYOR’S CUP ASPIRANT

Shane Sigvart celebrated a return to the Callaghan Park winners circle with Just Super taking out the BM 72 Handicap (1050m) and the connections are now likely to aim the gelding for next month’s Rockhampton Mayor’s Cup.

Sigvart took a 15-month hiatus from training here and now only has one horse in work.

“That’s all I need and I’m enjoying it,” he said. Raced by the Diplock and Green families, Just Super found his form after a frustrating run of minor placings. “If you did the form, he was better than these,” Sigvart said. “In the end the punters worked it out and there wasn’t much between the three favourites.” Ridden quietly by apprentice McKenzie Apel, Just Super ($3.20) strode up behind the entire field rounding the bend and never left the rails to beat Last Ditch Effort (Sean Cormack – $3.00) and Bayerische (Ash Butler- $13.00).

The $2.70 favourite, Dragon’s Snip (Nikki Olzard) led but faded to finish three lengths from the winner.

It was the sixth win for the Super One gelding who has also run 12 minor placings during its 24-start career. The $30,000 Mayors Cup (1200m) looks to be an ideal target, with the race on the Capricornia Yearling Sales Classic Day at Callaghan Park on Saturday, 12 April.

APEL CONTINUES ON HER WINNING WAY WITH A DOUBLE

Apprentice rider McKenzie Apel continues to impress and posted another winning double at Callaghan Park. The promising young rider was on board the Ricky Vale trained Parade Ground who marched back to winning form in the Class 2 Handicap (1200m).

The apprentice said Parade Ground jumped well and was keen to go forward. The victory was the 4Yos first since he won the Capricorn Guineas at Callaghan Park during the Rockhampton Cup Carnival last year. Parade Ground won by more than a length from Victory’s Ghost (Georgina Cartwright) with Rylov (Justin Stanley) in third place. Formerly raced by Godolphin, Parade Ground was purchased online by Pav Cheimardinov last May for $42,500. The son of Epaulette has now won three of 14 starts and looks set to win more races this preparation.

HARD WORK GETS JESS A WIN WITH PREPOTENT

Prepotent’s victory in the BM62 Handicap at Callaghan Park on Tuesday was an emotional one for trainer Jess Kuhn.

Close to tears Kuhn said after the 5YO gelding’s victory, “He is my baby. Truly I am emotional because it’s been such a hard road trying to keep him sound.”

Stepping out to the 1600 metre journey paid dividends with Chris McIver steering Prepotent from behind the leaders to claim Lady Towsend (Nikki Olzard) then stave off a determined bid by Phantom Flight (McKenzie Apel) to get the prize. Kuhn said she took a bit of a risk stepping up in distance. “We had to do something, she said, this was the next step,” she said. Prepotent won by a length with one and three-quarter lengths separating second and third. Prepotent was a $50,000 yearling in 2021 graduating from the Magic Millions sale but passed through other hands before going to Kuhn’s stable. The chestnut by More Than Ready has raced 31 times for five wins but this win was its first in 12 months and the first for Kuhn.

MCCONACHY AND CORMACK ARE A WINNING TEAM

Querida scored a last stride victory in a tight three-way finish to the QTIS 3YO Handicap (1200m), continuing the good teamwork of trainer Jamie McConachy and jockey Sean Cormack.

The former South African jockey has had nine rides for the Callaghan Park trainer winning seven times and running second on another.

“That’s a pretty impressive record,” McConachy said.

A short half head and a neck separated first, second and third place. John Wigginton’s Power Of Katie (Justin Stanley) led until the final bound, but Querida reeled her in right on the line to score narrowly. The Allan Jenkinson-trained Amberinger (Jackson Murphy) was close up in third and gallant in defeat.

Raced by Helen and Tony Yeats, Querida, a home-bred filly by Dracarys has now won two races from 9 starts. McConachy said Querida has done plenty this preparation and will now head to the paddock for a well-earned spell.

RJC CEO, David Aldred.