Rockhampton Racing Preview: Thursday 8th January, 2026.

Hansen commands a ‘turn to victory’ for Wax On Wax Off in Thursday’s Callaghan Park Maiden

A wide barrier draw in a 1050m Maiden Plate could be a task to overcome, but Darryl Hansen’s cleverly named Wax On Wax Off could be up for the fight with the three-year-old gunning for its first race win at its fifth start.

Hansen trains the galloper for a group of seasoned horse owners including Mackay vet, Dr. David Lemmon. The three-year-old has been in the money twice so far, with third placings on his home track at the Sunshine Coast, including getting into the minor money at his last start, behind Jimmy’s Brother and Better not Slip over 1000m at Corbould Park on Boxing Day. That win followed an easy official trial success, earlier in the month on the same track.

Wax On Wax Off was a $11,000 buy at the 2024 March Magic Millions yearling Sale, looks ready to put its best foot forward. From the Raheeb mare Janssen, Wax On Wax Off stems from a good maternal family through its grandam Zazie (Zabeel – Joolzy).

Given a great moniker, Wax On Wax Off is by the stallion Sensei, the name of a teacher of martial arts. Hansen is hopeful the gelding can give a ‘Karate Kid performance’ at Callaghan Park in the QTIS Maiden where with scratchings he is likely to jump from around barrier nine in a 12-horse field. South-east Queensland jockey Cody Collis will partner Wax On Wax Off.

Collis will also ride Hansen’s other two runners at the nine-race meeting.

The Hansen and Collis team with Prince of Sooview (Class 4 – 1200m) and Royal Gladiator (Benchmark 62 – 1400m). Prince Of Sooview has been out of sorts at his recent two runs last month, but he loves the Rockhampton track with a win and two minor placings at Callaghan Park last season. He has drawn much better at the gates than his maiden stablemate and will run from barrier 4.

Royal Gladiator also will jump from the four gate. A well bred Jungle Cat gelding, Royal Gladiator won its last start at the Sunshine Coast on 14 December. That race was a 58 Handicap over the 1400m distance at Corbould Park and Collis rode the gelding to a 2-1/2 length win over Inquisitor. It was the second Sunshine Coast win this season for Royal Gladiator who also won its Maiden over 1500m at Callaghan Park last season.

Callaghan Park’s race card commences at 12.35pm, with the track currently rated a Soft 5 and the running rail placement at 0.5m for the entire track. There have been eight early scratchings from the 108 entries.

• David Aldred (RJC) CEO