Rockhampton Racing Preview: Friday 24th April, 2026.

Conqueror of Sheza Alibi primed for another Callaghan Park win

He has the rare distinction of beating dual Group 1 winner Sheza Alibi and although Universal Harmony will probably never reach the big time at Randwick, the five-year-old galloper is putting together an impressive local resume.

Trained at Callaghan Park by Jamie McConachy, Universal Harmony has found a sweet spot in Central Queensland, winning four races here.

On Friday he’s come up with barrier three in the CJB Constructions BM72 Handicap (1050m) at Callaghan Park and could easily add to his winning tally.

He is not a sure thing though, as there are a few smart ones lining up in the same race.

The in-form Sailor’s Rum and King Spirit, a Sunshine Coast galloper that won twice at Callaghan Park in February, are likely to provide Universal Harmony with stiff competition.

Formerly trained by Ben, Will and J D Hayes, Universal Harmony began his career in Victoria and took on the best of his age in his initial preparation.

After coming to Rockhampton as a maiden, Universal Harmony’s first local victory came just over 12 months ago when he defeated $4M Doncaster Mile winner Sheza Alibi in the Len Milner Memorial Maiden (1100m) at Callaghan Park.

By the end of last year Universal Harmony had added another win in Rockhampton and two in Mackay.

McConachy gave Universal Harmony a jump out at Callaghan Park last week and he wasn’t revved up when placed second to Red Beauty in the 500m dash.

Chris McIver, who rode him in the jump out, has ridden the gelding in three of its wins, and he will reunite with Universal Harmony for his race this week.

A $200,000 yearling at the 2022 Magic Millions Sale, five-year-old gelding Universal Harmony has raced 20 times and has been in the top three placings at 13 of those starts.

Purchased privately by Tony Fenlon for a fraction of what he originally sold for, Universal Harmony now looks to be a real bargain. The Fenlon’s now race Universal Harmony with members of the Sparrow, Humphries, Harms, Galligan, Donald and Arnold families.

Although Universal didn’t win in Victoria his form there was very good, and the Hayes boys only moved him on, as he wasn’t measuring up to metropolitan class.

The Hayes team are obviously hard markers, and they need to be to compete day in day out at the top level.

As a young horse Universal Harmony had seven official barrier trials before being sent to the races for the first time.

At his first trial he finished second to 2023 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Little Brose, who has now won $1.6 million and races for David Hayes in Hong Kong, and at his second trial he was runner-up to stablemate Arkansaw Kid, a Group 2 winner of over $2.1 million.

Another star that Universal Harmony has beaten in winning trials is Buffalo River, a significant Stakes winner of $1.5 million.

Class is also in abundance in Universal Harmony’s pedigree.

Universal Harmony’s sire Brave Smash was a multiple G1-winning sprinter, taking out the Manikato Stakes and Futurity Stakes, both at weight for age, and the dam Bella Gioia (by Swiss Ace) was a smart performer in New Zealand, winning over $100,000.

Young dual acceptor hard to beat on his return to racing

Chris McIver and Kris Hansen team up with promising two-year-old Bowdene to start the race day at Callaghan Park, but Hansen is yet to declare his hand as to which race the galloper will start in.

Hansen has accepted Bowdene to start in the TAB QTIS 2YO Maiden Handicap (1200m) and the Great Northern Maiden Handicap (1050m).

Bowdene finished second to Erimar in the TAB Breeders Plate (1050m) at Callaghan Park at his only race start last November.

Fitness will be the barometer that Hansen uses to determine which race the Barbaric gelding will run in. Bowdene, raced by Ron and Bev White and Maureen Olive has been allotted 59kg in both races. He has barrier two in the 2YO Maiden and barrier nine in the Open Maiden. Hansen has given Bowdene two barrier trials in preparation for his return for a close second and a win at his most recent outing last week.

1.01pm start for seven race Friday race card

On a good betting card, other top chances racing today are Saraqael (QTIS 3YO Handicap – 1400m), Smart Mission (BM60 Handicap -1600m), Ten Carat Lucy (BM58 Handicap -1050m), and Warna (BM60 Handicap -1300m).

Friday’s races at Callaghan Park start at 1.01 pm with the last race at 4.38pm.

• David Aldred CEO