Shelley Turmaine and Kalika Boyle
Shelley Turmaine and Kalika Boyle looked stylish in black lace at Nanango’s Easter race meeting

April 22, 2014

Punters welcomed the fun, sun and the return of racing at Nanango’s Easter Saturday meeting at the weekend.

But there was a poignant sharing of sadness when Race 3 was won by the Barry Gill-trained Lady’s Command.

It was the Gympie trainer’s first win at a South Burnett track following the death of his wife, jockey Desiree Gill, after a fall at Caloundra in November.

And the win was in the CROW-FM Fiona Carvolth Memorial which honoured the memory of a 20-year-old Nanango resident killed in a car crash at Woodford in December.

The trophy was presented to Gill by Fiona’s parents, Ross and Leanne Carvolth.

Gill also brought home the winner of an eventful Race 5, Outback Cheryl, giving apprentice Chelsea Jokic a double for the day.

Two horses in this race – Glamorgan Boy and Okinawa – were scratched after they broke away at the barrier and sped riderless around the track.

The traditional Easter Saturday meeting at Nanango attracted a bumper crowd.

Sponsor and spectator tents dotted the grounds and children took advantage of free Easter eggs distributed by race club officials.

Both the bar areas and the betting ring were packed all day.

A big field of entrants also took part in the club’s popular Fashions Of The Field competition for the chance to win a twin-pack of Moffatdale Ridge wines and free tickets to the upcoming Burrandowan Picnic Races on May 10.

The meeting had a “Glorious Gents and Lacy Ladies” theme which was embraced enthusiastically.

The Easter race meeting was the first held in the South Burnett since January and many racegoers were plainly keen to catch up on trackside socialising after a three-month break.

But they won’t have to wait long for the next race meeting, which will be held this Friday (Anzac Day) at Wondai.

The next meeting at Nanango will be on May 31.

[Photos: southburnett.com.au and Clive Lowe Photography]

Barry Gill, Ross and Leanne Carvolth
Race 3 winning trainer Barry Gill is presented with a gift by race sponsors Ross and Leanne Carvolth
Sheena Uebergang and Kimberley Dove
Fascinating… Nanango’s 2014 Rural Ambassador Sheena Uebergang and Kimberley Dove set heads turning trackside

Jorgie and Darcy Harmsworth
Darcy Harmsworth – pictured with sister Jorgia – won the male children’s Fashions Of The Field

Erin Early
Erin Early was the judges’ pick for the teenage female Fashions Of The Field
Libby Daniels and Shaque Dugdell
Most fashionable women on the day: Libby Daniels and Shaque Dugdell took 2nd and 1st place respectively in the ladies’ Fashions Of The Field

Jack Hearn
Jack Hearn won the men’s Fashions Of The Field…

Jason Ricketts
…and dapper Jason Ricketts came a close second
Chelsea Jokic and Corky Corcoran
Race 3’s winning jockey Chelsea Jokic is congratulated on a thrilling ride by Corky Corcoran from the meeting’s major sponsors CROW-FM 90.7
John Lee and Andrea Steele
Nanango Race Club president John Lee shares a joke with sponsor Andrea Steele from McDonald’s Kingaroy

* * *

Race 1
Kilgarrah races past the finishing post more than 5 lengths ahead of its nearest rival in Race 1, giving apprentice jockey Hannah Phillips her first-ever win after 15 starts

RESULTS

Race 1 – Thorp’s Jewellers Maiden Plate (800m)
1. Kilgarrah (2) – Hannah Phillips
2. Sammy Safecracker (1) – Jason Missen
3. Sanwahkin (4) – Amy Van Der Sanden
Time: 0:45.90
Margins: 5 1/4 lengths x 1 1/2 lengths

Race 2 – Ergon Energy QTIS Benchmark 65 Handicap (1000m)
1. Croftside (6) – Sheree Drake
2. Lisa Fashionista (3) – Hannah Phillips
3. River Georgia (5) – Anthony Merritt
Time: 0:57.60
Margins: 1 1/4 lengths x neck

Race 3 – CROW-FM / Fiona Carvolth Memorial Benchmark 60 Handicap (1600m)
1. Lady’s Command (5) – Chelsea Jokic
2. Picalova (9) – Norifumi Yamada
3. Commander Bond (7) – Jason Missen
Time: 1:35.50
Margins: 3/4 length x 1 1/2 lengths

Race 4 – McDonald’s Kingaroy Class B Handicap (1200m)
1. Doubtful Prince (1) – Anthony Merritt
2. Scotchman (5) – Sheree Drake
3. Prince Of Peace (2) – Hannah Phillips
Time: 1:10.50
Margins: 3 1/2 lengths x 1/2 length

Race 5 – Glendalough Brangus Stud Maiden Handicap (1200m)
1. Outback Cheryl (4) – Chelsea Jokic
2. Rouge Sun (1) – Bradley Appo
3. Shez Zarzou (7) – Cecily Eaton
Time: 1:11.50
Margins: 2 lengths x 2 lengths

Race 2
Croftside pipped Lisa Fashionista by a length and a quarter in Race 2 (Photo: Clive Lowe)
Race 3
Lady’s Command and Picalova fought it out for line honours in Race 3 (Photo: Clive Lowe)
Race 4
Doubtful Prince left his rivals in no doubt in Race 4, beating Scotchman by 3 1/2 lengths
Race 5 false start
A false start in Race 5 saw Glamorgan Boy and Okinawa scratched after a riderless run around the track (Photo: Clive Lowe)
Race 5
Outback Cheryl, ridden by apprentice Chelsea Jokic, ultimately took out first prize on Race 5 by a healthy two lengths; the ride gave Chelsea her second win of the day