Nanango jockey Hannah Phillips and South Burnett Deputy Mayor Kathy Duff were both in the pink at Saturday’s “Think Pink” race meeting at Lee Park; Hannah went on to score two second placings

February 28, 2017

Nanango’s Lee Park was a sea of pink on Saturday as race goers braved the hot, sunny weather to enjoy the South Burnett’s first race meeting of the year.

Many visitors took to the meeting’s “Think Pink” fashion theme with genuine enthusiasm, wearing everything from discreet pink ties and floral dresses with pink highlights through to eye-watering solid pink suits and head-to-toe pink ensembles.

South Burnett Deputy Mayor Kathy Duff, famous for her fondness of the colour, was a judge for the meeting’s Fashions Of The Field competition.

But since the weather was too hot for a traditional fashion parade in front of the grandstand, Cr Duff and her fellow judges awarded “spot prizes” as they wandered the grounds, before gathering all the minor prize-winners together in the cool of late afternoon to decide the ultimate winners.

Most race goers preferred to spend the meeting in the shade, and the Race Club’s bar area and dining room did a steady trade all day.

A pleasant breeze blowing through the covered betting ring and under the awnings at the track proved irresistible to many, and shaded seating was at a premium.

Because of clashes with other meetings, acceptances at the meeting were lower than usual and each-way punters could really only cast a bet on the first race.

But crowd numbers were up compared to last year’s first meeting, and Race Club officials said they were happy with the turnout.

The meeting also proved a small winner for Ronald McDonald House when Cr Duff, Cr Frohloff, Cr Jones and former councillor Barry Green tipped in $50 each for a bet on a horse chosen by Mr Green, on the understanding that if it won the proceeds would go to the charity.

The horse he chose – I’m No Ruby in the fifth race of the day – was a $2.40 favourite, but it won by a half length.

After the day’s races had finished, local band Mr Q picked up their guitars and provided patrons with an hour of music to round out the day.

The South Burnett’s next race meeting will the Nanango Race Club’s Easter Meeting at Lee Park on April 15.

This will be followed by the Wondai Race Club’s Anzac Day Race Meeting on April 25, and the Burrandowan Picnic Races, which will be celebrating their 95th birthday on May 13.

Sheryl Wolski, from Yarraman, and Bec Clapperton, from Tarong, enjoyed the cool breezes passing through the betting ring
Gary Lourensz, from tropical Darwin, had no fear of the sun …
… but Glenn Weinberg, from Tewantin, preferred to stay cool in the shade
Here’s three more reasons why the world loves Tasmanians: Kalani Lampkin, Michaela Geeves and Sid – all from the Apple Isle – took to the meeting’s “Think Pink” theme with gusto
Elegant Darryl Brooks and stylish Erin Early were runners-up in the meeting’s Fashions Of The Field competition
Ladies Fashions Of The Field winner Gloria Kirkness, from Nanango, is congratulated by Cr Roz Frohloff
Cr Roz Frohloff and Fashions Of The Field winners Glenn Weinberg and Gloria Kirkness lined up to see if they could out-pink Deputy Mayor Kathy Duff; Gloria clearly had doubts …
Hannah Leu and Damien Tessmann had fun at the meeting; Damien was helping run the Fashions Of The Field competition
Even the band wore pink! Brothers Gavin and Tony Cisneros from Mr Q provided an hour of post-race music while fan Kylie Ebrington looked on
Darryl Early watches as Diamondine’s trainer Trevor Thomas is presented with a gift by Race Club Ambassador Noel Trace, along with his brother Cameron Early and his father, former Police Assistant Commissioner Greg Early who was in charge of the South Burnett for many years; Diamondine won this year’s Ruby Early Memorial Maiden Plate, which is named in honour of Greg’s wife; Darryl is the principal of Nanango State High and arranged to have the race sponsored in memory of his mother, while Greg is now State President of the Queensland Retired Police Association
A swag of other Early family members were also in attendance at the track on Saturday to fondly recall Ruby Early (Photo: Justin Boyle)

* * *

Long-time friends Patrick Duff, Barry Green and Cedric Duff got together at Saturday’s race meeting to celebrate Papilloma, the New Zealand race horse owned by former Murgon vet Ted Fisher and trained by Patrick, which went on to win 18 races including the 1969 Nanango Cup

A Blast From The Past

For the past few meetings the Nanango Race Club has been celebrating the most famous horses that have run at the Lee Park race track.

At the club’s December meeting, it honoured Picnic In The Park; and for its first meeting of 2017, the honours went to Papilloma, a New Zealand horse that had very ordinary form until it was purchased by former Murgon vet Dr Ted Fisher and put into the hands of trainer Patrick Duff.

Patrick reversed the horse’s form and it went on to enjoy a winning streak on the country racing circuit, pulling in 18 victories under his stewardship including the 1969 Nanango Cup.

At Saturday’s meeting, Patrick’s brother Cedric Duff from Glendalough Brangus Stud in Bowenville sponsored the Papilloma Class B Handicap, which was won by Anxpense a half neck ahead of Poetic Dragon.

Afterwards, the brothers got together to reminisce with their old friend Barry Green, whom they’ve known for close to 50 years.

FLASHBACK: Barry Green and brothers Patrick and Cedric Duff at Lee Park in 1969

* * *

Accident Delays Races

Apprentice jockey Corinne Miles was attended by race club officials and Cr Roz Frohloff until ambulance personnel arrived

The first race at Saturday’s Think Pink race day at Lee Park was delayed by 35 minutes when a horse dislodged apprentice jockey Corinne Miles in the mounting yard, then rolled on her.

Worried race club officials and Cr Roz Frohloff – a trained paramedic – rushed to the jockey’s assistance, caring for her until she could be taken by ambulance to Kingaroy Hospital.

Corinne was later transferred to a Brisbane hospital, where she is expected to spend several days being treated for a significant pelvic injury before being transferred back to her home on the Gold Coast.

The delay in running the day’s first race pushed most other races on the card back from their announced starting times, but to everyone’s relief it was the only accident to occur at the meeting.

Racing writer and race caller Ross Stanley said the accident was particularly unfortunate for the young jockey, and he hoped she had a speedy recovery.

Corinne has only just started her apprenticeship, and has chalked up just five wins.

Ambulance officers talk to injured jockey Corinne Miles before transferring her to Kingaroy Hospital

* * *

Diamondine romped home in the third race of the day, a clear three and a half lengths ahead of its nearest rival Front Foot

Results

Race 1 – Glendalough Brangus Stud/Papilloma Class B Handicap (800m)
1. Anxpense (1) – Paul Hamblin
2. Poetic Dragon (6) – Rick Johnston-Bell
3. Karma Force (2) – Melissa Cox
Time: 0:45.53
Margins: 1/2 neck x 1 1/2 lengths

Race 2 – Three Way Photos BenchMark 55 Handicap (1000m)
1. Hopetoun Street (6) – Leeanne McCoy
2. Jeptoo (7) – Chelsea Jokic
3. Darling Be Good (3) – Rick Johnston-Bell
Time: 0:58.34
Margins: Neck x 3/4 length

Race 3 – Ruby Early Memorial Maiden Plate (1200m)
1. Diamondine (2) – Chelsea Jokic
2. Front Foot (1) – Hannah Phillips
3. Rumba Laara (4) – Billie-Rose Derbyshire
Time: 1:10.74
Margins: 3 1/2 lengths x 3 lengths

Race 4 – Nanango Bookmakers Association BenchMark 50 Handicap (1200m)
1. Deputy Peck (1) – Paul Hamblin
2. Prince Of Peace (4) – Melody O’Brien
3. Beer ‘N’ Barmaid (3) – Lyall Appo
Time: 1:09.86
Margins: 7 1/4 lengths x 1 3/4 lengths

Race 5 – Ken Mills Toyota Benchmark 60 Handicap (1600m)
1. I’m No Ruby (3) – Joshua King
2. Our Clarky (2) – Hannah Phillips
3. Onemore Twist (5) – Chelsea Jokic
Time: 1:36.35
Margins: 1/2 length x 1 1/2 lengths

  • View videos all all five races on the Nanango Race Club’s YouTube Channel
Things were tighter in the final race, where favourite I’m No Ruby narrowly pipped Our Clarky by half a length to claim first prize

 

One Response to "Racing Crowd Thinks Pink"

  1. Thanks for the great coverage of the ‘Early’ family. Grandad (and former Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner) Greg can be very proud of his extended family, and the outstanding contributions they are making in their various careers.

    Good to see Barry Green looking so fit and healthy as well. He has a big birthday coming up in May. The big Seven O, but I had better keep the date to myself? (Barry, the hat you are wearing in the 1969 pic suits you better than the little pink number in 2017)

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