Nanango Race Club’s annual “Cup” day is always big … but Saturday’s meeting was huge with crowd numbers boosted by visitors in town for the evening centenary celebrations of the Nanango rugby league team.
The meeting marked the beginning of the new racing season, so Club trophies were distributed to the leading jockey, trainer and horse for 2012-13.
It was a good day for Kumbia trainer James Curtain, who not only was presented with the Trainer of the Year trophy but also went home with a 1st (Colonel Sodhi in Race 1) and a 3rd (Belwina in Race 2).
Horse of the Year was Red Suit, owned and trained by Caroline Allardyce from Gatton.
Jockey of the Year was Chris Kearney.
Also sashed for the 2013-14 season was the Race Club’s Ambassador, a role which will be reprised by Noel Trace.
The fashion theme of the meeting was “Winter White and Midnight Black” and the crowd, from the youngest toddler to the oldest punter, seemed eager to comply.
The black / white theme was extended into a special marquee, erected on behalf of the Carrollee Hotel, which was packed with partygoers and even had its own dedicated bookie.
The six-race card featured some very close racing.
Jockeys Billie-Rose Derbyshire and Brooke Ainsworth both rode a double.
The prestigious Nanango Cup was taken out by Jason Hoopert on “Mimics”.
In Race 2, jockey Lyall Appo’s mount Jet Largo was scratched at the barrier after twice breaking through the box and then refusing to load.
Rip’n’Twist, who threw jockey Shannon Apthorpe at the May meeting at Nanango, made some amends with a second in Race 1.
RESULTS
Race 1 – Bechly’s Transport Maiden Plate (800m)
1. Colonel Sodhi (1) – Billie-Rose Derbyshire
2. Rip ‘n’ Twist (13) – Rhiannon Payne
3. Rock With The Star (7) – Shannon Apthorpe
Time: 0:46.70
Margins: 2 1/2 lengths x head
Race 2 – Deb Frecklington MP Class 1 Handicap (1000m)
1. Ta Rara Boom De Ay (14) – Brooke Ainsworth
2. Presidential (2) – Ian Coombes
3. Belwina (15) – Jason Hoopert
Time: 0:59.00
Margins: 3 lengths x 1/2 head
Race 3 – McDonalds Kingaroy QTIS Maiden Handicap (1200m)
1. I Do Care (3) – Ian Coombes
2. Chivas On Ice (7) – Brooke Ainsworth
3. Al Jalila (14) – Nathan Evans
Time: 1:12.52
Margins: nose x 1 1/2 lengths