About the carnival

THE QUEENSLAND RACING CARNIVAL IS WHERE CHAMPIONS EMERGE

Queensland again proved there is no better place to race during winter in Australia, with the next generation of stars making their name right here in the Sunshine State.

BELLA NIPOTINA BLITZES FOR GROUP 1 DOUBLE

When thinking about star performers of the 2024 Queensland Racing Carnival, there is one name that stands above all others.

Bella Nipotina had a Winter Carnival to remember after taking out the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 and backing it up to win the final Group 1 of the season courtesy of the Tattersall’s Tiara.

The Ciaron Maher-trained six-year-old also sandwiched those efforts with second placings in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup and Stradbroke Handicap.

Bella Nipotina had confirmed her 2024 winter credentials at the top level by storming home late to pip the heavily-favoured I Wish I Win on the post in the Doomben 10,000.

She then held off stable mate, Semana, and the Tony Gollan-trained, Bubble Rock, on Tiara Day to cap off an extraordinary carnival.

"She is just phenomenal, to do what she has done is just phenomenal," Maher said post-race.

"I thought we'd come up here for one run and maybe have a crack at the (Tattersall's) Tiara, she's ended up running in all four and has been as good in the last start as she was in the first.”

Bella Nipotina will now be looking to carry on that good form into the $20 million The Everest in October.

ZAC LLOYD’S BREAKTHROUGH WIN IN STRADBROKE

One of the lasting images fittingly came in the biggest race of the Winter Carnival.

The sheer joy for Zac Lloyd was clear as the apprentice jockey celebrated his first Group 1 victory, steering Stefi Magnetica to claim the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap.

Trained by Bjorn Baker, the three-year-old had received a horror draw and looked to be fading while leading in the home straight.

But the filly held off a fast-finishing Bella Nipotina to hand Baker his sixth Group 1, and Lloyd his first.

The young hoop now just has 93 more to go to catch father Jeff, with the former jockey trackside to see his son claim the breakthrough win.

“I was very confident pre-race. She galloped enormous on Tuesday. My dad and I went through the race thoroughly and we honestly thought we were on the right horse,” Zac said after the win.
“She was tough. I saw Bella Nipotina and I thought that was one horse you don’t want to be in a finish with, but she was great.

“It is really good just to get that Group 1 on my resume. I’ve had some great opportunities in the past year or so and I haven’t been able to capitalise. To get the job done in a very big race, it is very special.”

It was a special win too for Stefi Magnetica’s Queensland owners, the Cunningham family, following Lorilie Cunningham’s breast cancer battle and their win in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in summer with Storm Boy.

SOCKS NATION PRODUCES OAKS UPSET

The upset of the Winter Carnival undoubtedly went to Socks Nation who produced a shock win in the Queensland Oaks.

Racing beyond 2000m for the first time, the filly jumped as a remarkable $126 outsider.
But the daughter of Sioux Nation rallied to hold off Our Gold Hope and complete the boilover at Eagle Farm.

The victory, along with Bella Nipotina’s double, ensured Ciaron Maher would finish with three Group 1 wins throughout his campaign.
“The team has done a super job. She's been in work 13 months this filly, and she just keeps on running really well,” Maher said.

“She's a tough, Kiwi-bred filly and they do it time and time again in these races. She worked well in the week so we didn't have to do much with her."

It was also the first of two wins at the top level for jockey Ryan Maloney during the carnival, who was on board for Bella Nipotina’s win in the Tatt’s Tiara.
Oaks Day was also memorable for star hoop James McDonald who rode five winners on the one card.

The champion Kiwi also produced one of the moments of the carnival on Stradbroke Day, managing a cheeky look back over his shoulder at his rivals in the home straight as he stormed to a dominant win on Broadsiding in the Group 1 JJ Atkins.

Despite riding in just half the meetings, McDonald was the standout rider, booting home 16 winners from 35 rides at an incredible 46 per cent winning strike rate including three Group 2s, four Group 3s and five Listed races.

Broadsiding also looks like a serious horse, demolishing his rivals in the Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes and the JJ Atkins to be in serious contention for the 2YO Australian Horse of the Year.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

The biggest win of the carnival by far came on Derby Day when Warmonger blitzed his rivals to take out the Group 1 event by an amazing 10-and-a-half lengths.

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained gelding overcame the widest barrier possible to romp to victory at Eagle Farm.

The same day, I Wish I Win lived up to the pre-carnival hype by claiming the Kingsford Smith Cup.
There was plenty to cheer about for the locals during the carnival too.

Apprentice jockey Cejay Graham claimed her first Group win with Kintrye taking out the Group 2 Queensland Guineas, while the Angela Jones and Tony & Maddysen Sears combination produced an Ipswich Cup victory with Red Wave.

Additionally, Antino claimed the Group 2 Victory Stakes for Tony Gollan, who also claimed a Group 3 and four Listed victories.