Rockhampton Racing Preview: Tuesday 17th February, 2026

Locally bred three-year-old looks primed for a winning debut

A three-year-old by exiled Rockhampton stallion Perast is ready to blast off to what could be the start of a very successful career, if his recent barrier trial form is anything to go by.

The aptly named Autumn Gale blew away his opposition in a 1000m Callaghan Park barrier trial 10 days ago and only needs to produce the same speed in tomorrow’s Red Lion Hotel Maiden Handicap (1200m) to make a winning debut for the owners, the Sparrow Family and trainer Jamie McConachy.

Rockhampton Cup-winning jockey Raul Silvera Olivera rode Autumn Gale in its massive 13.19 length victory in the trial and will partner him in the race. The February trial was their second pairing, having also won their first trial at Callaghan Park, last month.

Autumn Gale is drawn at barrier seven for his debut and is the top tip with all bookmakers for the race.

There is a watch on a couple of others in the race also. Proviseur is a new addition to the Kerrod Smyth stable and the Proisir 4 YO has shown ability in the south, while Bold Change, Eraja, and Sumich won’t stay long out of the winners’ circle.

But it’s fair to say most eyes will be on Autumn Gale.

Bred by Graceville Thoroughbreds’ Bryan Hall, Autumn Gale, a big, long-striding gelding is by a dual Group 3-winning son of Snitzel, Perast who stood briefly at the Hall’s Morinish property.

“The Perast horses can all gallop, but no one wanted to send a mare to him when he was here,” Hall said. “There are only six by him, and they all look pretty good, I reckon everyone would be wishing they sent a mare to him now.”

The Paul Perry-trained Perast won close to half a million dollars with his best wins in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude and Fred Best Classic.

He was originally set to stand at stud in New Zealand, but there was an issue and he ended up in Rockhampton.

“He (Perast) was going to waste here, didn’t get any mares outside mine, and he was sold to China to stand at stud up there,” Hall said.

The Sparrows and McConachy have given Autumn Gale plenty of time to mature and their patience looks likely to pay dividends.

“He’s a big horse and he needed to grow, I might be wrong, but I think this is a potential Group winner,” Hall said.

Hall sold the three-year-old to Kelvin Sparrow for $40,000 through the 2024 Capricornia Yearling Sales, and he is eligible to race in the $118,000 Capricornia Yearling Sale 3 & 4YO Classic at Callaghan Park on 11 April.

Miss So And So, a Perast – Even So filly, co-raced by Hall, is another from the breed worth following. A Mackay trial winner with one unplaced run under her belt, Miss So And So is being aimed at the $168,000 Capricornia Yearling Sale 2YO Classic on 12 April.

Miss So And So’s half-brother Sunnycoast (by Sebring Sun), raced by Hall and also trained by McConachy, won the Capricornia 2YO Classic in 2023.

And in Adelaide, Hall says to keep an eye out for Brown Cockatoo (Perast – Rodin’s Doll). “It’s out of a So You Think mare, and can gallop,” he said.

The six-race Rockhampton program at Callaghan Park on Tuesday kicks off at 1.34pm with the Great Northern BM60 Handicap over 1817m.

A trial and a jump out have been scheduled to be held after the last race is concluded.

• David Aldred CEO RJC