Beau Appo on Thunder Lane draws away from his father Lyall on board Sir Emland in the Nanango Cup.  Photo: Denise Keelan
Fashions of the Field winner Peita Harmsworth Photo: Nanango Race Club

August 6, 2012

Apprentice jockey Beau Appo – son of the popular Lyall – booted home two winners in a career best at Nanango on Saturday, including Thunder Lane in the prestigious $12,000 XXXX Gold / Carrollee Hotel Nanango Cup.

Veteran jockey Chris Kearney also had a remarkable start to the day, bringing home the winners in Race 1 and Race 2.

The Lee Park racetrack at Nanango attracted a big crowd for the six-race Nanango Cup meeting, its premier race event of the year.

Also along for the day was local MP Deb Frecklington, who sponsored Race 2, and the recently appointed Chairman of Racing Queensland, Kevin Dixon, who presented the Nanango Race Club’s Horse of the Year Award to the connections of “Lady Oscar”.

The crowd enjoyed the sunshine as well as the hotly contested Fashions of the Field competition, which had a black and white theme.

The official presentations of the Nanango Race Club and South-East Queensland Country Association (SEQCA) premierships were also made.

The Gill family went home happy, with husband Barry taking out the Trainer of the Year award and wife Desiree, the Jockey of the Year.

The winners were:

SEQCA

  • Trainers Premiership – Barry Gill
  • Jockeys Premiership – Desiree Gill
  • Apprentice Jockeys Premiership – Billie-Rose Derbyshire

Nanango Race Club

  • Trainers Premiership – Gilbert Baker (Dalby)
  • Jockeys Premiership – Ray Hancock (Woodford)
  • Horse of the Year – Lady Oscar (Glen Richardson)
Racing Queensland chairman Kevin Dixon presents the Nanango Race Club’s Horse of the Year Award to the connections of “Lady Oscar”.  Photo: Denise Keelan
Nanango Race Club Ambassador Noel Trace and Cr Barry Green congratulate Jockey of the Year Ray Hancock. Photo: Denise Keelan
Nathan Evans on board third placegetter Ahsoka Tano in Race 4. Photo: Denise Keelan

RESULTS

Race 1: First Avenue Machinery Maiden Plate (800m)
1. Red Suit (3) – Chris Kearney
2. Prime Quest (2) – Luke Dillon
3. Mini Style (8) – Ian Coombes
Time: 0:46.7
Margins: 3 lengths x short head

Race 2: Deb Frecklington MP Class 1 Handicap (1000m)
1. Double Top (10) – Chris Kearney
2. Pretzels (4) – Billie-Rose Derbyshire
3. Atlanta Queen (7) – Nathan Evans
Time: 0:58.8
Margins: Long neck x neck

Race 3: Huston Nissan Class 3 Plate (1200m)
1. Unique Fuse (4) – Desiree Gill
2. Royal Rocket (3) – Debbie McMaster
3. Skeeter (7) – Luke Tarrant
Time: 1.11
Margins: Short half-head x neck

Race 4: McDonald’s Kingaroy QTIS Maiden Plate (1200m)
1. Ferocious Diva (7) – Beau Appo
2. Flagflamenco (8) – Lyall Appo
3. Ahsoka Tano (12) – Nathan Evans
Time: 1:12
Margins: 3 lengths x 1 length

Race 5: XXXX Gold-Carrollee Hotel Nanango Cup Open Handicap (1600m)
1. Thunder Lane (4) – Beau Appo
2. Chilled (2) – Amy Taylor
3. Driving Reign (6) – Luke Tarrant
Time: 1:35.9
Margins: 1 length x 1 1/2 lengths

Race 6: Caltex Energy Class B Handicap (1600m)
1. Leica Fuse (5) – Ray Hancock
2. Gold Record (2) – Ian Coombes
3. Tatt’s Lucky (6) – Gary Geran
Time: 1:36.5
Margins: 1 1/4 lengths x 4 lengths

Ina Patterson, Shelley Eagle and Donna Antony took some time out to sample wines

Leisa Green and Gary Eyre enjoyed a light hearted flutter at the track

Arthur and Chris Nettelfield took advantage of the sunny weather for a pleasant day out

Nina Temperton, Cr Barry Green, Kevin Temperton and Graham Black

Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington with Chairman of Racing Queensland Kevin Dixon

Sheena Uebergang, Kimberley Dove (Fashions Of The Field runner-up) and Kay Dove

[Photos: Denise Keelan Photography, Nanango Race Club, and southburnett.com.au]

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