Ravishing in red … at back, Michelle Robinson, Donna Surridge and Anne Newman, all from Caloundra; at front, Renee Hayes and Karen Wilson, Caloundra, and Sue Lambert, Nanango
Chris Kearney brings Red Suit back to the scales after Race 2

December 9, 2012

Kumbia trainer James Curtain was celebrating with two wins after an exciting day of racing at Nanango Race Club’s annual Christmas meeting on Saturday.

Curtain brought home Dame Judi in Race 1 and Park Central in Race 3 at the Lee Park racecourse.

Nanango trainers Glenn Richardson and Scott Pedron also had a good day at their home track with both recording seconds: Double Top in Race 2 for Richardson and Forshot in Race 3 for Pedron.

The theme for the race day fashions was “Ravishing Red” which made Race 2 winner Red Suit, by Gatton trainer Caroline Allardyce, the omen bet for the day. The eight-year-old gelding didn’t disappoint, although it was the closest finish on the day.

Beaudette was a late scratching in Race 4 after the three-year-old filly proved fractious in the mounting yard, charging at media photographers and dislodging jockey Wayne O’Connell.

O’Connell fortunately escaped injury – despite falling heavily onto a wire fence – and fulfilled his commitment to ride at Toowoomba later in the evening.

PS.  James Curtain also had two runners on the same day at the Thangool races where his success continued, securing a first  (Night Escort) and a second (Leica Fuse).

Jockey Bobby El-Issa cruises home on Park Central in Race 3 at Nanango

Russell McCallum – brother of the late racing writer Malcolm who was remembered in Race 1 – congratulated Kate Curtain on Dame Judi’s victory

Pederson family members Robyn Herrmann, Joan Price, Jackie Nesbitt and Roz Frohloff presented Red Suit’s trainer Caroline Allardyce (third from left) with a trophy

Race Results:

Race 1 – Malcolm McCallum Memorial Maiden Plate – 800m 
1. Dame Judi (6) – Ms Rhiannon Payne
2. Lago Ben (2) – Ian Coombes
3. Miss Antagonistic (11) – Wayne O’Connell
Time: 0:46.8
Margins: 1 length x 1/2 head

Race 2 – Nanango RSL Club / Les & Dell Pederson Memorial Class B Handicap Handicap – 1000m
1. Red Suit (1) – Chris Kearney
2. Double Top (7) – Bobby El-Issa
3. The Who (11) – Jason Hoopert
Time: 0:58.05
Margins: 1/2 length x long neck

Race 3 – Country Focus Maiden Plate – 1200m
1. Park Central (5) – Bobby El-Issa
2. Forshot (2) – Ian Coombes
3. Gems Tatt (3) – Lyall Appo
Time: 1:12.15
Margins: 1 1/4 lengths x 1/2 head

Race 4 – John Dundas Automotive Group Class 2 Handicap – 1200m
1. Naval Action (11) – Shaun Bayliss
2. Captain Invincible (2) – Shannon Apthorpe
3. Executive Officer (1) – Ian Coombes
Time: 1:10.32
Margins:  2 1/2 lengths x 1/2 length

Race 5 – Ergon Energy Benchmark 65 Handicap – 1600m
1. Johnny Aucash (2) – Ian Coombes
2. Cobbanvilla (3) – Shannon Apthorpe
3. Kamarah (9) – Ray Hancock
Time: 1:36.15
Margins: 1 length x 1 length

Tenneal Bellears, Nanango; Nikkeah Hockey, Nanango; and Jodi-Ann Rowell, Beaudesert, were lapping up the sunshine

Rick, Alison and Jocelyn Grieve, 11, from Nanango, were enjoying a family day

Kalika Boyle, Trent Gosley and Bridget Boyle, from Nanango

 

Fashions Of The Field

 

Nanango Racing Ambassador Noel Trace with Fashions of the Field winner Liz Clark, Nanango, and runner-up Hayley Ahern, Gayndah

Fashions judges Des and Mary McCallum had the difficult task of selecting the winners

Boys winner Zac Noyes, 7; Girls winner Isabella Frecklington, 14; and runner-up Jilleigh Grieve
Nanango Racing Ambassador Noel Trace (centre) congratulates men’s runner-up Nick Frohloff  and winner Jae Clarke, from Nanango
Boys runner-up Angus Elford, 2, (right), shares the spotlight with his sister Lilly, 8, and mum Katie, from Nanango

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