May 11, 2015
It was a big day at the Burrandowan Picnic Races … big fields, a big crowd and a big response to the initiatives introduced by the race club this year.
While final gate numbers are still being tallied, Race Club Secretary Carolyn Stone believes between 2500 and 3000 patrons packed into the track, which is one of the best attendances seen in several years.
“Everything went brilliantly this year,” Carolyn said.
“We had a record number of nominations for the races because of recent meeting cancellations at some other tracks, so we had to expand our normal five race card to seven races.
“This gave punters a lot more action, and judging by how busy the betting ring was all day they enjoyed it.
“The weather was also just about perfect, and the 100ml of rain we had in the week leading up to this year’s meeting made everything look very green and fresh.”
Two other innovations – pre-packed picnic hampers and a High Tea in the Race Club hall – also proved winners.
Bookings for both were taken online through the Race Club’s website, and by race day there were 76 pre-ordered hampers filling up the cold room awaiting collection, and a capacity crowd of 70 booked in for an afternoon High Tea in the Hall.
In the evening, patrons at the popular pit-fired barbecue took part in another new competition: the best-dressed barbecue table.
This year’s inaugural winners were Gwen and Terry Maher from Kingaroy, whose stylishly decorated table drew admiration from everyone who saw it.
“I have the feeling we’ll see even more competitors try out for this event next year,” Carolyn said.
Apart from good gate takings, which will go to assist the RACQ CareFlight Rescue Helicopter this year, Race Club officials were also very pleased with the way this year’s meeting unfolded.
“There were no incidents on the track, no accidents on the field, and even though it got a bit chilly when the sun went down everyone seemed to have a really good time,” Carolyn said.
“We had a great roll-up for our traditional Fashions Of The Field competition, and there was a lot more people than usual picnicking on the lawns.”
Almost 1000 people camped overnight at the track on Saturday.
Others stayed for several days leading up to the event, including a group of Rotarians heading north to the Gulf who have told the club they had such a good time they’d like to come back and do it all over again next year.
“All in all, it was another really great year,” Carolyn said.
“Now we just have to work out how to top it in 2016.”
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Results
Race 1 – South Burnett Times / BGA Agri Services Class B Handicap (1000m)
1. Arma De Fuego (2) – Nathan Evans
2. Fields Of Oxley (9) – Damion McIntosh
3. Mystery Angel (6) – Laura Cheshire
Time: 1:01.85
Margins: Neck x 1/2 length
South Burnett Times / BGA Agri Services Class B Handicap (1000m)
1. Dr House (7) – Hannah Phillips
2. Scratchy (6) – Jedidiah Hodge
3. Bizarre Rock (4) – Melody O’Brien
Time: 1:01.61
Margins: Long neck x 3/4 length
Race 3 – Clovely Estate / 4SB 1071 AM / Ted Fisher Benchmark 65 Handicap (1000m)
1. Come On Lu Lu (4) – Melody O’Brien
2. Tropical Heatwave (2) – Jason Missen
3. Captain Clayton (1) – Hannah Phillips
Time: 1:01.54
Margins: Nose x 1 3/4 lengths
Race 4 – Selby Keys Memorial / HOT FM QTIS Maiden Plate (1200m)
1. Take No Notice (13) – Damion McIntosh
2. Flinders Luck (7) – Todd Banks
3. Yamanners (9) – Shannon Apthorpe
Time: 1:11.40
Margins: 1 length x 1/2 length
Race 5 – Selby Keys Memorial / HOT FM QTIS Maiden Plate (1200m)
1. Moss Tank (1) – Shaun Bayliss
2. Madame Bollinger (13) – Stephanie Lacy
3. Hay Life (5) – Hannah Phillips
Time: 1:12.00
Margins: Head x 1 1/2 lengths
Race 6 – AgForce Qld / Patrons Cup Open Handicap (1200m)
1. Writtenintherain (3) – Danielle Daniel
2. Le Max (12) – Shannon Apthorpe
3. Glenthorn Avenue (7) – Jason Missen
Time: 1:10.10
Margins: 1/2 Head x 3 3/4 lengths
Race 7 – CROW FM 90.7 / SBRC Mayor’s Community Fund Benchmark 60 Handicap (1600m)
1. Red Beretta (1) – Lyall Appo
2. Count Romano (2) – Hannah Phillips
3. Cross The Star (5) – Melody O’Brien
Time: 1:49.05
Margins: 2 1/4 lengths x 3/4 length
