Racing Queensland: Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival

Cover image courtesy of Michael McInally

Queensland is in the midst of building towards the climax of its iconic Brisbane Winter Carnival with the $3 million G1 Stradbroke H. to be run on June 10, and having just won Round 1 of the State Of Origin with the 'underdogs in maroon', the Queenslanders are in a jovial mood.

The 2023 Brisbane Winter Carnival officially began on April 29 and runs to July 1. One of the gems of the carnival will be run on Saturday at Eagle Farm, the G1 Stradbroke H., a race with deep history, despite not always carrying the prestige of its counterparts, has produced its fair share of notable winners.

TDN AusNZ will dive into some of the honour lists of the notable events run during the carnival. Queensland has been the starting ground for countless legendary NRL players who made their mark on the sport. It has also been a significant producer of star thoroughbreds who emulate their form in the major carnivals in Sydney and Melbourne.

Stars of the turf

Certified stars like the legendary Tulloch (NZ) graced the Queensland audiences with victories in the 1957 Queensland Derby and Sires' Produce S. and in the 1960 PJ O'Shea S. Tulloch farewelled racing with a rousing success in the 1961 PJ O'Shea S. and the Brisbane Cup.

TJ Smith's other Champion, the incomparable Kingston Town (Bletchingly), was already a history-maker when he entered the 'Sunshine State' to win the 1980 Queensland Derby.

The 'Toowoomba Tornado', Bernborough, bred in Toowoomba and plied his trade around the area at Clifford Park Racecourse due to an ownership restriction before a sale to Sydney saw his star rise, by the time Bernborough returned to Queensland in 1946 to win the Doomben 10,000 and Doomben Cup, in you had to be 'there to believe fashion', he was already a champion.

And the ghostly grey Surround (NZ) (Sovereign Edition {Ire}) was already a star when she was victorious in the 1977 Queensland Oaks and, in the spring of 1976, became the only 3-year-old filly to win the G1 WS Cox Plate.

Likewise was the invincible Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), when she drew record crowds to Doomben in 2011 for the then G1 BTC Cup (now known as the G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup and run over 1300 metres), when they gasped in awe as she once again encountered for game Hay List (Statue Of Liberty {USA}).

We will focus on the horses whose rise to notoriety was first felt in Queensland and gallopers that went on to further elite-level success or have made sizable contributions to breeding.

Queensland Derby

The G1 Queensland Derby run over 2400 metres has predominantly been a fixture at Eagle Farm besides when the race moved to Doomben in 2014/15 due to the Eagle Farm course undergoing reconstruction.

The Queensland Derby was first run in 1868 and won by a horse named Hermit, a stallion of unidentified lineage.

From 1873 to 1877, the race was not held, nor was it held from 1942 to 1945 due to the outbreak of World War II.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the race not to be held in 2020.

In 1870 the Queensland Derby was held twice; however, Grafton, a son of Whalebone, was hailed the winner.

The 2023 edition has been run and won by the Chris Waller-trained Kovalica (NZ), the son of the G1 WS Cox Plate winner Ocean Park (NZ) looks to be something ‘out-of-the-box’ and has racing enthusiasts eager to see what the 3-year-old gelding can achieve in the impending spring.

The Queensland Derby has an honour roll that includes decorated gallopers like Silver Sharpe, Royal Sovereign and the prominent Brisbane galloper Wee Glen (Bernard {GB}). TDN AusNZ will focus on three gallopers who rose to prominence by winning the Queensland Derby.

Rough Habit (NZ) - 1990 G1 Queensland Derby

The New Zealand-born Rough Habit (NZ), a son of Roughcast (USA), was bred by Isabell Roddick and foaled on December 2, 1986.

John Wheeler would train the bay gelding, and, under Wheeler’s traineeship, Rough Habit would claim some of the most important races on the Australasian calendar.

However, in Queensland, wider audiences started to notice Rough Habit as a horse of serious talent. Wheeler sent the gelding across the Tasman for the Brisbane winter carnival of 1990.

Rough Habit placed in his first two Australian starts, the Listed Doomben Classic and G2 Grand Prix S. before tackling the G1 Queensland Derby and his third Australian start, Rough Habit cemented his star status by taking the Derby, finishing behind Rough Habit that day would be the great stayer Castletown (NZ) (One Pound Sterling {GB}).

The victory in the G1 Queensland Derby would be Rough Habit’s first Group 1 victory, and it was a start of a career-long love affair for Wheeler’s gelding and Queensland. Rough Habit would return across the Tasman many more times after the Derby. Rough Habit would claim two editions of the G1 Stradbroke H., three victories in the G1 Doomben Cup (one win when the race was named the BATC XXXX Cup) and two triumphs in the G2 Hollidale S.

The Queensland Racing authorities would honour the grand galloper with the G3 Rough Habit Plate run yearly during the Brisbane winter carnival.

Strawberry Road - 1983 G1 Queensland Derby

It all started for Strawberry Road, a son of Whisky Road (USA), in Queensland. Trained by the Brisbane-based trainer Danny Bougoure, Strawberry Road debuted at Doomben and was unplaced on that occasion; however, a couple of starts later, Strawberry Road would break through at Eagle Farm to win his maiden.

Spelled and returning in January, Bougoure sent his colt to Ipswich to win before an assault on the Sydney autumn carnival was launched. Although significantly rising in class, Strawberry Road would claim the G1 Rosehill Guineas and the G1 AJC Derby in his campaign.

Fittingly, Bougoure returned Strawberry Road to Queensland for the Brisbane winter carnival; arguably, it was common knowledge the colt was a horse of rare ability by the time he returned to Brisbane, but if there were any doubts, Strawberry Road put paid to them.

Placed in the G3 XXX H. Strawberry Road then won three consecutive races, the Listed Channel 7 Classic, the Listed Power Hotels H. and culminating in the G1 Queensland Derby.

Bougoure’s colt would become something of national pride for Queenslanders and an Australian hero when Strawberry Road became the first Australian-bred horse to claim elite-level victories in three countries: Australia, France and West Germany.

Strawberry Road also claimed two Group 2 events in France and North America. The legacy of Strawberry Road can still be felt internationally when his daughter Kobla (USA) produced the outstanding Quality Road (USA), who stands at Lane's End in Kentucky and sired the recent G1 Preakness S. winner National Treasure (USA).

Camarena (NZ) - 1999 G1 Queensland Derby

The John Morrisey-trained Camarena (NZ), a daughter of the breeder-shaper Danehill (USA), was a rare filly to claim a Derby and would retire with ‘only’ the one elite-level victory in the 1999 G1 Queensland Derby.

However, it was as a broodmare Camarena’s influence would be felt. Once she retired from the track and for her third mating in 2004, Camerena was sent to the Darley shuttler Elusive Quality (USA). The mating resulted in a filly named Camarilla. Like her dam, she would be a Group 1-winning victress claiming the G1 Sires’ Produce S.

Camarilla eventually retired to stud and excelled in her new role, much like her dam.

Camarilla is the dam of the Group 2-winning and the Group 1-producing stallion Ghibellines and the outstanding Guelph (Exceed And Excel), a four-time elite-level victress.

Like her dam and grandam Camarena, Guelph has proven a capable broodmare. Her son Encryption would retire to Eureka Stud as a Group 2 winner and Group 1 placed in the G1 Oakleigh Plate; with his first crop gracing the tracks this season, Encryption is represented by the Rex Lipp-trained star colt Cifrado, who has risen to prominence in Queensland claiming the G2 Champagne S. and the G2 Sires’ Produce S.

Queensland Oaks

The Queensland Oaks was first held in 1951 and was won by the prominent Queenslander galloper Maltmaid (Malt Denis) and has an honour roll that includes Evening Pearl (Delville Wood {GB}), Denise’s Joy (Seventh Hussar {Fr}) and Triscay (Marscay).

The Fillies’ Classic has been held at Eagle Farm over 2400 metres for most of its history, but between 2015/19, it was held at Doomben Racecourse over 2200 metres.

Last Saturday saw the Kris Lees-trained Amokura (Kermadec {NZ}) dazzle spectators with a strong-staying performance and providing legendary Australian hoop Damien Oliver his 128th Group 1 victory.

Winx - 2015 G1 Queensland Oaks

Some may recall the Chris Waller-trained, bay daughter of Street Cry (Ire), Winx, before her incredible winning streak of 33, eventually bowing in the G1 Queen Elizabeth S. in front of a packed Randwick.

Winx had always shown ability and mixed it with the best fillies of her generation as a 3-year-old. Still, you would have to have had a crystal ball to envisage or believe Winx would win an unprecedented four G1 WS Cox Plates and a host of the most notable events on the Australian turf.

When the 3-year-old filly headed to the Sunshine State, she wasn’t yet the dominant racing machine racegoers to which the world would become accustomed. She was coming off a defeat in the G1 AJC Oaks beaten by Gust Of Wind (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}). As fate would have it, for Winx, it was the last time she would be beaten in a race, while for Gust Of Wind, it would be the last time she graced the judge first past the post.

Contesting the G3 Sunshine Coast Guineas first-up in Queensland, Winx simply gave her rivals windburn, winning in Bernborough-esque fashion, her impressive win made her the talk of the town, and she justified the hype with another sensational victory in the G1 Queensland Oaks.

Sadly, it would be the last time Queensland audiences would be treated to the Winx spectacle. The daughter of Street Cry returned to Sydney as a seemingly different horse after her sojourn in Queensland and retired as one of the best the world has ever seen.

Ethereal (NZ) - 2001 G1 Queensland Oaks

Ethereal (NZ) was bred by brothers Sir Peter and the late Philip Vela of Pencarrow Stud. She was the daughter of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Rhythm (NZ) and was born on November 16, 1997.

Entering training under Sheila Laxon, Ethereal always showed promise in her homeland of New Zealand. She was never far away from the best of her generation and recorded victories at Hawke's Bay and Auckland.

Laxon decided to target the Brisbane winter carnival of 2001, sending the then 3-year-old filly across the Tasman. Ethereal appeared to thrive in Queensland, claiming the Listed Doomben Roses first-up before a memorable victory in the G1 Queensland Oaks, coming from the back of the pack to swamp her rivals.

The Queensland Oaks victory was a catalyst for Ethereal. Returning the following spring, she would prove herself an elite stayer.

Ethereal claimed the rare Cup double, denying all-comers in the G1 Caulfield Cup and the G1 Melbourne Cup. Returning in the autumn of 2002, Ethereal finished fifth in several races before stepping up to the 2400 metres to win the G1 BMW S. The world appeared at the mare's feet; unfortunately, it was the last time Ethereal would be seen on the racetrack.

Duais - 2021 G1 Queensland Oaks

The Edward Cummings-trained Duais, a daughter of the G1 WS Cox Plate winner Shamus Award, is still actively racing. However, she has done enough to date to ensure she’s one of the finest fillies to claim the G1 Queensland Oaks.

Always highly regarded by her connections, Duais burst to prominence in the G3 Adrian Knox S. but could not win the G1 AJC Oaks. Cummings turned his attention towards the G1 Queensland Oaks and sent Duais to the Sunshine State to contest the Oaks first-up; essentially, history was against Duais, but she showed her class to record an authoritative G1 Queensland Oaks.

Duais has been one of those rare fillies that train on and has proved herself one of the best-staying mares in training, recording further Group 1 triumphs in the G1 Tancred S. and the G1 Australian Cup.

BRC Sires' Produce

The G2 Sires' Produce S. was first run in 1877 and won by the filly Ada (Laureate). The race has a rich history of outstanding gallopers contesting and winning the race, such as Fine And Dandy, Luskin Star and Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands).

Like many races of the era, the G2 Sires' Produce was not held during World War II in 1942/45.

The 2023 G2 Sires' Produce S. was taken out by the promising Cifrado (Encryption).

Lough Neagh - 1931 G2 Sires' Produce S.

The grand galloper Lough Neagh was foaled in 1928 and was bred by the Queensland Turf Club committeeman Bill Glasson at Manapouri Stud. He was the product of the 1916 Queensland Cup winner Bachelor’s Persse (GB) and the Bezonian (GB) mare Terentia who had won the 1918 QTC Hopeful S.

Lough Neagh was owned and trained by the Brisbane-based trainer Tim Brosnan whose stables were located on Charlton Street in the Brisbane suburb of Ascot. The chestnut gelding was christened with the name Lough Neagh. Lough Neagh is a freshwater lake in Northern Ireland and is the largest lake in the island of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the British Isles.

Lough Neagh would become one of the most versatile and toughest horses to grace the Australian turf, dubbed an ‘Iron Horse’ racing from age two and retiring as a 10-year-old.

The first recorded principal victory for Lough Neagh would come in the 1931 Sires’ Produce S. as a juvenile.

It would be far from the last time Lough Neagh would salute the judge in an important race. Making his mark in Queensland, Brosnan’s gelding would train on to win the Queensland Derby, Queensland Guineas and the 1936 Brisbane Cup and the King's Plate.

The effect of Lough Neagh wouldn’t just be felt in Queensland, and he would prove equally as effective in Sydney, recording two victories in the Chipping Norton S. and the Tramway H., among other prominent races.

Lough Neagh would retire as one of the best thoroughbreds to hail from Queensland, and due to this, he would be honoured with the Listed Lough Neagh S. run at Eagle Farm each year in his memory.

Spear Chief - 1937 G2 Sires’ Produce S.

Spear Chief was born and bred in Queensland in 1934 at the Alma Vale Stud on the Darling Downs. The striking black stallion was a son of Spearfelt, who won the 1926 Melbourne Cup and was a descendant of the incomparable Carbine (NZ).

Although Spear Chief would be eventually sold to Sydney-based interests, he started his career in Queensland under the traineeship of W.J. Tucker.

The descendant of Carbine would win the 1937 Sires’ Produce S. as a 2-year-old and trained on to win the Queensland Derby and Queensland Guineas.

Spear Chief was sold in 1938 and sent to Sydney, but returned ‘home’ that year to claim the Brisbane Cup and again in 1939, he retook the Brisbane Cup and added the King's Plate to his CV.

Perhaps Spear Chief’s name is remembered by most with notoriety, sent out as a 40/1 shot in the 1939 Rawson S. behind the Champion Ajax, who by all accounts was expected to account for his rivals without much trouble; this was not to be. The Queenslander Spear Chief rolled Ajax, causing shockwaves through the audience and the media. And to this day, many turf enthusiasts will recount the story of the 1939 Rawson S.

Horses don’t know their odds, and Spear Chief was no slouch; it wasn’t his fault that bookmakers of the day undervalued his ability.

Queensland Racing authorities have recognised the deeds and contributions of Spear Chief and each year host the Listed Spear Chief H. at Eagle Farm, won this year by Munhamek (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}).

Mahogany - 1993 G2 Sires’ Produce S.

Born on October 1, 1990, Mahogany was from the Australian-bred crop of Last Tycoon (Ire), a crack-sprinter miler who recorded victories in the now G1 King’s Stand S. and G1 Nunthrope S. Last Tycoon also ventured to North America to win the third edition of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Mahogany was from the mare Alshandegha, a daughter of the Champion North American dirt horse Alydar (USA).

Looks can be deceiving, and they indeed were with Mahogany, described as a 'medium and plain-looking horse'.

Sent into training with Champion trainer Lee Freedman and co-owned by Lloyd Williams and the late Kerry Packer, Mahogany showed glimpses of enough ability to persuade Freedman to send the now gelding to the Brisbane winter carnival 1993.

Mahogany left Brisbane as a dual Group 1 winner, as the Sires’ Produce S. in 1993 was classified as a Group 1 race and followed it up with a victory in the G1 Castlemaine S. (now the JJ Atkins).

They would be two of eight recorded elite-level victories for Mahogany. As a 3-year-old, he won the G1 VRC Derby and G1 AJC Derby double. When he achieved it in 1993/94, it hadn’t been done since Classic Mission (NZ) in 1971.

Watch: Mahogany's 1994 G1 AJC Derby victory

Alongside his Derby wins, the horse won the 1993 G1 Caulfield Guineas, making him the first horse since Tulloch in 1957 to achieve the treble of victories. He would also win the 1994 G2 Tulloch S. named in honour of the Champion horse.

Incredibly, Mahogany, later in his career, would prove himself an elite sprinter winning two editions of the G1 Lighting S. in 1994 and 1995.

Tough to the very end, Mahogany passed away at the advanced age of 31 in 2022.

Shoot Out - 2009 G2 Sires’ Produce S.

Shoot Out, a son of the late High Chaparral (Ire), was bred by Mr NC Stewart and offered at the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where he was purchased for $15,000 by Linda Huddy of Peachester Lodge.

Shoot Out was initially trained by the Gold Coast-based trainer John Wallace. The 2-year-old Shoot Out won his first start at the Gold Coast before Wallace set his sights on the 2009 G2 Sires’ Produce S.

The relatively inexperienced gelding produced a freakish display in the Sires’ prompting Wallace to say, “Shoot Out is the best horse I’ve trained.”

Although Shoot Out would eventually be transferred to Chris Waller, Shoot Out proved Wallace’s assumption that he was a galloper of the highest order.

The gelding would retire with five Group 1 victories, including the G1 Australian Derby and the G1 George Main S.

Zoustar - 2013 G2 Sires’ Produce S.

In April 2013, Chris Waller saddled up a son of the ill-fated Northern Meteor, Zoustar, at Canterbury with the now retired Champion hoop Jim Cassidy in the saddle; the colt saluted comfortably and was sent to Hawkesbury for his second race start, this time with Hugh Bowman aboard Zoustar past the post first.

Waller, confident Zoustar had an untapped ability, sent the colt to the Brisbane winter carnival of 2013 to contest the G2 Sires’ Produce S. With Cassidy reunited, Zoustar accounted for the field with relative authority, becoming a Group 2 winner at just start three.

Zoustar backed up in the G1 JJ Atkins and was narrowly touched off by his parental brother Romantic Touch (Northern Meteor).

The efforts sealed the deal, as Zoustar was a horse to watch, and Cassidy was all too eager to stick with the colt in the spring. Returning in with a fourth in the G3 Run To The Rose, Zoustar then strung together three consecutive victories in the G1 Golden Rose, the G2 Roman Consul S. and emulated his sire with a blistering win in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. down the Flemington straight.

Retired to Widden Stud, Zoustar has proved the heir to his late sire. He has sired 36 stakes winners to date, including the star Sunlight.

Sunlight emulated her sire and grandsire by winning the G1 Coolmore Stud S. in 2018, incredibly Zoustar signed the quinella with his sons Zousain and Lean Mean Machine, filling the places.

JJ Atkins S.

The G1 JJ Atkins S. was inaugurated in 1893 and won by a horse called Common (Phil Athol).

The JJ Atkins S. has had numerous name changes and was first known as the Claret S. and as usual, was not held during the War years of 1942/45.

The Autumn Sun - 2018 G1 JJ Atkins S.

In a blueprint similar to the former Chris Waller alum Zoustar, The Autumn Sun burst on the scene late in April of his 2-year-old year, winning two races at Randwick.

Waller sensing he was a horse of rare talent, was confident to send the son of the incomparable Redoute’s Choice to the Brisbane winter carnival of 2018 for the G1 JJ Atkins S. to be run at Doomben that year.

The Autumn Sun, on an unsuitable Heavy 8, showed his class to obtain Group 1 glory at his third start. The tenacious victory put the colt’s name on the lips of the industry eager to see the colt resume.

In the spring, The Autumn Sun would prove himself as one of the finest colts to race in the modern era.

The Autumn Sun prevailed arrogantly in two races often regarded as ‘siremakers’, the G1 Golden Rose and the G1 Caulfield Guineas.

In the autumn, the colt would add the G1 Randwick Guineas and the G1 Rosehill Guineas to his CV before retiring to Arrowfield Stud, the home of his late sire.

The Autumn Sun’s first crop hit the tracks this season, and already he has sired a stakes winner in Autumn Ballet.

Lovely Jubly - 2002 G1 JJ Atkins S.

Broadmeadow-based trainer David Throsby sent his star filly Lovely Jubly (Lion Hunter) to the 2002 Brisbane winter carnival. Lovely Jubly clearly enjoyed the Queensland sun racing away with a host of wins in the G1 Sires’ Produce S., the G3 Champagne S. and the G1 JJ Atkins S. (then known as the TJ Smith Classic).

Lovely Jubly proved herself to be a classy filly; however, her deeds on the racetrack could have got lost in the annals of the turf until she delivered a colt by Encosta De Lago, who would become Chautauqua and nobody would forget him.

Darci Brahma (NZ) - 2005 G1 JJ Atkins S.

The gun Kiwi Darci Brahma (NZ) who recently retired from commercial stud duties at the Oaks Stud, was another star galloper to have claimed Group 1 glory at the Brisbane winter carnival.

Darci Brahma was trained by Mark Walker and had shown considerable ability as a juvenile in New Zealand, finishing second in the G1 Sires’ Produce S. at Ellerslie.

Walker decided to target the 2005 JJ Atkins sent the colt to Queensland, where his first-up produced a fourth, but he made amends in the Group 1 to win comfortably.

Returning to New Zealand, Darci Brahma would cement himself as one of the finest gallopers to grace Australasia. Retiring a five-time elite-level winner, he proved a prolific stallion siring over 50 stakes winners.