March 16, 2015
Kumbia Race Club’s “bonus” race meeting on Saturday also proved a gift for apprentice jockey Isabella Rabjones … she booted home her first-ever winner.
Rabjones, a former competitor in equestrian events, had her first race ride at the Valentine’s Day meeting at Nanango just four weeks ago.
At Kumbia, she rode third placegetter Clifford in Race 2, before bringing home the top money on favourite Monshapelle in Race 3.
The Kumbia race meeting paid homage to two of the district’s respected racing families who have suffered losses recently.
Race 5 remembered Joyce and Morris “Boy” Reed, an Inverlaw farming couple who died in April and May last year who were life-long residents of the district and staunch race club supporters.
The $10,000 “Joyce And ‘Boy’ Reed Memorial Celebration Series Open Handicap” recognised the many decades of service the couple had given to the club, as well as the family’s historic connection to the club’s foundation early last century.
Club officials, jockeys, trainers and guests also gathered together for a minute’s silence in honour of Kumbia trainer Jim Lenihan, who died on March 1.
Mr Lenihan, brother of Club president Brian, was a jockey, owner, trainer and punter and a pillar of the local racing industry.
Nanango Race Club president John Lee, Wondai Race Club president Wayne Kratzmann and other members of both clubs also came to pay their respects.
The day quickly proved a winner for local trainer James Curtain, who saw his horse I Am McLovin take out line honours in Race 1.
Curtain later scored a second in the fifth race with Amber Ale.
The traditional Fashions Of The Field competition drew a big roll-up of elegantly attired patrons.
Novelty foot-races were run on the track between Race 3 and 4, an added attraction for the many children at the track.
Crowd numbers were lower than usual – probably due to the large number of other events in the South Burnett on Saturday – but the racing crowd enjoyed good racing in perfect weather.
However, Kumbia Race Club officials said they were happy with the turnout on their bonus race day, awarded as part of Racing Queensland’s “Celebration Series Of Country Racing”.
They are hoping to be awarded another bonus race day next year.
NB: southburnett.com.au’s racing columnist Ross Stanley will have his own take on the meeting in this Friday’s Gunsynd’s Gossip.
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Results
Race 1 – Murphy Pipe And Civil Maiden Plate (900m)
1. I Am McClovin (3) – Nathan Day
2. Manak (1) – Alannah Badger
3. Second Hand Lion (2) – Bradley Appo
Time: 0:51.60
Margins: Nose x 3/4 length
Race 2 – Ollies Mower Service / Radio Hot FM 89.1 Class B Handicap (900m)
1. Delightful Abode (9) – Billie-Rose Derbyshire
2. Friendly Tradition (5) – Shaun Bayliss
3. Clifford (3) – Isabella Rabjones
Time: 0:51.22
Margins: Short neck x 1 1/4 lengths
Race 3 – Adama / BGA Agriservices Maiden Plate (1200m)
1. Monschapelle (7) – Isabella Rabjones
2. Madam Auberge (6) – Bruce Powell
3. Dear Mary (3) – Sabbir Alam
Time: 1:11.07
Margins: 1/2 length x 3/4 length
Race 4 – Grant Daniel And Long / The Gums At Memerambi QTIS Class 1 Handicap (1200m)
1. Magic Of Love (6) – Bradley Appo
2. Cadalora (7) – Sean Palmer
3. Prince Of Peace (8) – Wayne O’Connell
Time: 1:09.52
Margins: 1 1/4 lengths x short head
Race 5 – Joyce And ‘Boy’ Reed Memorial Celebration Series Open Handicap (1200m)
1. Writtenintherain (3) – Bradley Appo
2. Amber Ale (2) – Pietro Romeo
3. On Ice Now (6) – Geoffrey Leung
Time: 1:07.60
Margins: 1/2 length x short neck
Race 6 – Deb Frecklington MP / South Burnett Times Benchmark 60 Handicap (1400m)
1. Steel To The Heel (3) – Damion McIntosh
2. Funny Fellow (5) – Shaun Bayliss
3. Release Me (1) – Todd Banks
Time: 1:21.25
Margins: 1 3/4 lengths x 1 length
