August 3, 2015
Nanango Cup day is always one of the Nanango Race Club’s biggest meetings of the year … and this year it also delivered a day of big surprises.
The biggest came when John Lee announced he would be standing down as Nanango Race Club president at the September Annual General Meeting after more than 46 years of service.
The announcement was made as sponsors, members and racing officials gathered before Race 1.
John told the stunned group he felt his age was inhibiting his ability to fulfil all the demands of the role, and after such a long time at the helm he thought it would do the club good to get some new blood at the top.
But he said he intended to stay involved with club and he didn’t expect his life-long fondness for the turf would ever leave him.
John also announced the Race Club would be awarding life memberships to other volunteers who had served Nanango racing for decades: Wayne and Francine Hancock, Barry and Mary Green, and southburnett.com.au racing columnist Ross Stanley.
Also honoured was starter Col Ryan, who has provided more than 35 years service to Nanango as well as a decade at Wondai. The barriers at Nanango will now bear his name.
The new Racing Ambassador for 2015-16 was also introduced. Lainey Gleeson will be taking over the role pioneered by previous Ambassadors Noel Trace and Sheena Lindholm.
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Former Nanango Shire Mayor Reg McCallum and South Burnett Deputy Mayor Keith Campbell spoke glowingly of Mr Lee’s extensive contributions to thoroughbred racing in the South Burnett.
Although racing in Nanango dates back at least to the 1880s, the sport lapsed during World War II when the old course was converted into an airstrip.
It wasn’t until the late 1960s when Mr Lee and other enthusiasts decided to revive local racing.
The new Nanango Race Club held its first meeting in 1968.
At that time there were almost no facilities on the site. Bookies had to shelter from the sun under umbrellas and beer was dispensed out of 44-gallon drums packed with ice.
Since then, the track has been gradually built up to be the region’s largest racing complex and along the way was renamed “Lee Park” in honour of John Lee.
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Before the racing began in earnest, Nanango Catholic parish priest Fr Nigel Sequeira performed the traditional “Blessing Of The Jockeys” ceremony in the mounting yard as part of the celebrations to mark a new year of racing.
A record number of nominations meant the usual six race meeting was expanded to seven, which pushed the day’s feature race – the XXXX Carrollee Hotel Nanango Cup – to a slightly later in the afternoon.
The Cup was won by Gaelstorm, ridden by Bradley Appo, which beat Billy Goat home by a neck in a hotly contested event.
After the presentation of the Cup and a special commemorative horse rug to owner Janelle Baker, the Race Club also presented trophies and prizes to the winners of its 2014-15 Premierships.
Popular Nanango apprentice Hannah Phillips won the Jockey’s Premiership against rivals Melody O’Brien and Billy-Rose Derbyshire, while her father Barry took home the Horse Of The Year trophy with Captain Clayton against runner-ups Candid and Latin American.
The Trainers’ Premiership was won by Oakey’s Patrick Sexton, who narrowly beat Barry Phillips and Glen Richardson.
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Results
Race 1 – Bechly’s Transport Maiden Plate (800m)
1. Rose Marguerita (12) – Stephanie Lacy
2. Love Stories (10) – Leeanne McCoy
3. Indestructible (3) – Isabella Rabjones
Time: 0:46.14
Margins: 2 1/2 lengths x 1/2 length
Race 2 – Deb Frecklington MP Class 1 Handicap (1000m)
1. Rockabye Angel (3) – Pietro Romeo
2. Bush Beat (2) – Jedidiah Hodge
3. Pagoh (5) – Alannah Badger
Time: 0:58.16
Margins: Short neck x 2 lengths
Race 3 – McDonald’s Kingaroy QTIS Maiden Handicap (1200m)
1. If In Doubt (7) – Jason Missen
2. Pop Bubble Pop (10) – Jedidiah Hodge
3. Rockoni (1) – Michael Murphy
Time: 1:11.12
Margins: Neck x short half head
Race 4 – McDonald’s Kingaroy QTIS Maiden Handicap (1200m)
1. Showamia (12) – Jedidiah Hodge
2. Red’s The Go (10) – Leeanne McCoy
3. Mr Persistent (8) – Alisha Taylor
Time: 1:10.03
Margins: Neck x 2 lengths
Race 5 – Huston Nissan Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200m)
1. Kiara Queen (9) – Michael Murphy
2. I’m The One (2) – Lyall Appo
3. Rhiatenn Road (6) – Jedidiah Hodge
Time: 1:09.95
Margins: 1 length x 3/4 length
Race 6 – XXXX Carrollee Hotel Nanango Cup Open Handicap (1600m)
1. Gaelstorm (1) – Bradley Appo
2. Billy Goat (5) – Ian Coombes
3. Bingo Bobby (6) – Kelly Gates
Time: 1:35.22
Margins: Neck x 1/2 length
Race 7 – Betta Home Living Class B Handicap (1600m)
1. Casa Ciello (7) – Jason Missen
2. Madame Bollinger (10) – Jason Hoopert
3. Famechon Baroness (2) – Hannah Phillips
Time: 1:35.39
Margins: 1 length x 3 3/4 lengths
