April 6, 2015
The large number of racegoers who took a punt on the overcast weather conditions to head to Nanango Racecourse for the popular Easter Saturday race meeting emerged winners when the threatened rain failed to develop.
A short cloudburst hit the track about 11:30am but the meeting stayed dry for the rest of the day, giving racegoers the opportunity to take a holiday break at the track.
The Easter Saturday meeting is a traditional get-together for South Burnett expatriates and out-of-town visitors, and this year it stayed true to form, helping to give the Nanango Race Club their best attendance figures so far this year.
The fashion theme was “Floaty Frocks and Polka Dots”, and many patrons were eager to dress to suit.
In a departure from normal practice – usually Fashions Of The Field competitors line up in front of the grandstand for judging – roving judges moved through the crowds on Saturday to select on-the-spot winners.
Delighted children received McDonald’s gift bags while adults enjoyed prizes from Moffatdale Ridge Wines, Whipbird Cafe, Expression of Lime and The Look.
Children received Easter eggs from race officials, or took advantage of the free face-painting on offer.
Punting proved more of a challenge with only one of the day’s favourites scoring a place and 13-1 long shot Small Change taking out the feature race, the CROW-FM QTIS Maiden Plate.
Amongst the jockeys, Toowoomba’s Melody O’Brien had the best of the day, riding two winners: in Race 3 aboard Small Change, then backing up for a win aboard (the aptly named for Easter omen punters) Prince of Peace in Race 4.
Nanango’s Hannah Phillips steered Captain Clayton first past the post in Race 2, then Count Romano to a third in the final race of the day.
South Burnett trainers also had some joy, with Barry Phillips, Pat Duff and Peter Blackwell all seeing their charges score either a win or a place.
Race sponsors for the meeting were Glendalough Brangus Stud, McDonald’s Kingaroy, CROW-FM, Bendigo Bank Nanango and Thorp’s Jewellers.
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Results
Race 1 – Glendalough Brangus Stud Maiden Plate (800m)
1. Mim’s Gallery (12) – Pietro Romeo
2. Canaden (8) – Stephanie Lacy
3. Chic De Troy (9) – Jedidiah Hodge
Time: 0:46.27
Margins: 2 1/4 lengths x short neck
Race 2 – McDonalds Kingaroy Benchmark 65 Handicap (1000m)
1. Captain Clayton (1) – Hannah Phillips
2. Favourite Shadow (6) – Shannon Apthorpe
3. Honour Jacko (4) – Shaun Bayliss
Time: 0:57.86
Margins: 2 1/2 lengths x 1/2 length
Race 3 – CROW-FM QTIS Maiden Plate (1200m)
1. Small Change (9) – Melody O’Brien
2. Naytellrhi Miss (11) – Damion McIntosh
3. Vision And Vallies (4) – Jessie Philpott
Time: 1:11.20
Margins: 3 3/4 lengths x long neck
Race 4 – Bendigo Bank Nanango Class B Handicap (1200m)
1. Prince Of Peace (6) – Melody O’Brien
2. Beyond The Storm (4) – Damion McIntosh
3. Celtic Dragon (12) – Danielle Daniel
Time: 1:10.84
Margins: 2 lengths x 1/2 neck
Race 5 – Thorps Jewellers Benchmark 60 Handicap (1600m)
1. I’m No Ruby (2) – Shannon Apthorpe
2. Bernadecio (4) – Melissa Cox
3. Count Romano (1) – Hannah Phillips
Time: 1:36.35
Margins: 1/2 length x short head
- Related article: Nanango Races Videos – Apr 4
