Rockhampton Racing Preview: Saturday 14th March, 2026

Let’s hear it for the girls in Memorial Race on St Paddy’s Day

Bruce Mckenzie would be chuffed that a half dozen women jockeys have the numbers and firepower stacked in their favour to dominate the memorial race named in his honour at Callaghan Park on Saturday.

Mckenzie was the RJCs oldest member when he passed away last month aged 97.

The Bruce Mckenzie Memorial BM60 Handicap (1050m) has attracted a handy field with six of the nine competitors to be ridden by women.

The memorial race is the feature event on the Callaghan Park St Patrick’s Day race card.

Miss Mercy, a five-length winner over the same distance at Callaghan Park late last month is likely to start the favourite with the in-form Sunshine Coast apprentice jockey Stephanie Tierney in the saddle of the Stuart Kendrick trained four-year-old mare.

Tierney has rocketed up the jockey premiership board recently. Since coming to Rockhampton to ride on a regular basis, the apprentice has had 17 rides at Callaghan Park for eight wins, and four minor places. In addition to Miss Mercy, there will also be support for the race topweight Sailor’s Rum, trained by Alisha Taylor, despite the five-year-old gelding being yet to win at Callaghan Park. He has also never won at the distance.

Sailor’s Rum was a last start fourth at Corbould Park, Caloundra, in a 1200m 0-63 Handicap, after showing brilliant speed to lead that race. Leah Martyn will ride the big chestnut for One Syndications and from barrier two she may get the early jump of Miss Mercy who has drawn barrier 8. Amy Graham is another who could step up to the plate. She rides former Gold Coast mare Hard to Dismiss for trainer Kerrod Smyth. Nikki Olzard (Irish Rocket), Natalea Summers (Cash Artist) and Gabby Semmens (Craiglea Merida) are the other women riding for the memorial trophy prize.

The only runner that could possibly spoil the girl’s party is the Ricky Vale trained Crimson Decipher to be ridden by last year’s Rockhampton Cup-winning jockey Raul Silvera Olivera. On face value, Crimson Decipher’s form doesn’t scream winner, but he has won twice over the distance and has drawn nicely at barrier 3.

Long time friend, RJC Life Member Maureen Olive will present the trophy to the winner of the Bruce Mckenzie Memorial which is timed to start at 2.54pm.

A horse racing enthusiast and racing industry participant since the 1940s, Bruce rarely missed a Callaghan Park race day and had his last day at the races on 5 February.

He loved his horses, bred them, raced them, off track he rode them, and, of course, he loved to have a little bet as well. The RJC will keep his memory alive with an annual memorial race at each St Patrick’s Day race meeting.

The first local race today starts at 1.44pm.

• David Aldred – CEO