Jim Ryan, from Ryan’s Butchery in Wondai … Jim’s great-grandfather Martin opened the shop in 1915, then it passed to his grandfather Jim, and then to his father Peter before Jim took it over

October 19, 2015

Wondai’s big race meeting on Saturday celebrated not only the running of the annual Wondai Cup, but also the centenary of another Wondai institution, Ryan’s Butchery.

The butcher shop has been in the Ryan family since it opened in 1915.

The Ryans – and their relatives the Duffs – are also stalwarts of Wondai racing and have been linked to the South Burnett Race Club as owners and trainers over the decades.

As to be expected, there were Ryans and Duffs in abundance at the course, with many family members travelling from all over Queensland for the big day.

And fittingly, Pat Duff trained the winner of the Wondai Cup, Fasta Than Light, ridden by Wayne O’Connell.

O’Connell’s win in Race 5 prevented a repeat of the famous March 1990 meeting at Wondai where for the first time Queensland the card was ridden by female jockeys.

Even so, it was definitely a day for the ladies at Wondai!

Not only did female jockeys win Races 1 to 4, all six entries in Race 1  had women on board.

And even the Fashions of the Field competition was extra special for the woman winner.

Candice Humphreys, from Kingaroy, was presented with a watch worth $899, sponsored by Cedric Duff, principle of the Glendalough Brangus Stud at Bowenville.

Wondai Cup winner Fasta Than Light with strapper Charry Law, jockey Wayne O’Connell, owners Megan and Glen Abbott, from Ipswich; race sponsors Roy and Glenis Radunz, trainer Pat Duff and Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd
Relaxing at the races … Rachael Morris, Kara Wise and Kelsie Wilson, from Kingaroy

Fashions of the Field winner Candice Humphreys, from Kingaroy, with race club vice-president Wally Knight

Wally Knight also sashed the Men’s Fashions of the Field winner, Graham Bourke, a dairy farmer from Warwick

Best Dressed Couple were Mark and Catherine Goldsworthy, from Wishart in Brisbane

Enjoying a day at the races … Peter Pryor and Brittany Holding, from Wondai
Kathy Cope, Rosie Schmidt, Kirstie Schumacher and Lis Buzzo, all from Kingaroy
Back row, from left, Marilla Reid, Sally Crowe, Annette Montebello, Briony Hendrickson, Stacey Roon and Sam Norman; front row, Meghan Royes, Tiahna Bartlett, Hayley McAnally and Canadian Katie Root
Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd, centre, and his wife Shirley with Keith Kratzmann, from Tingoora
A delighted Montanna Sawa brings Western Maizcay back to the scales after winning Race 3, the Ryan’s 100 Years Butchering In Wondai & South Burnett Handicap
South Burnett Racing Club patron Roy Radunz with Western Maizcay trainer Tony Williams, from Wondai; Peter and Jim Ryan (Ryan’s Butchery) and Ryan family descendant Pat Duff
Sean Wicks, Tiahna Bartlett and Heather Litzow, from Kingaroy State High School’s Ag Department

* * *

After leading by four lengths for most of the race, Miss Mega Herz, on the rails with Hannah English aboard, managed to hold on to win from a fast-finishing Glenthorne Avenue in Race 2

Race Results

Race 1 – G Crumpton & Sons & Co Pty Ltd Maiden Plate (1100m)
1. Somerset Dawn (4) – Hannah Phillips
2. Chain Road (1) – Alanna Badger
3. Miss Alexandra (3) – Hannah English
Time: 1:08.90
Margins: 1/2 head x 3 lengths

Race 2 – Kingaroy Funerals Open Handicap (1100m)
1. Miss Mega Herz (1) – Hannah English
2. Glenthorne Avenue  (3) – Jason Missen
3. Brady ‘n’ Me (5) – Amy Van Der Sanden
Time: 1:07.00
Margins: Long head x 1 3/4 length

Race 3 – Ryan’s 100 Years Butchering In Wondai & South Burnett QTIS BM 55 Handicap (1100m)
1. Western Maizcay (4) – Montanna Sawa
2. Tropical Heatwave (1) – Hannah Phillips
3. Nug’s Pocket (3) – Alannah Badger
Time: 1:07.50
Margins: 1 3/4 lengths x 3/4 length

Race 4 – Heenan Family Celebration Class B Handicap (850m)
1. I Am McLovin (3) – Hannah Phillips
2. Hopetoun Street (2) – Jason Missen
3. Indestructible (1) – Montanna Sawa
Time: 0.51.30
Margins: Short neck x 3 lengths

Race 5 – Roy & Glenis Radunz Wondai Cup BenchMark 65 Handicap (1465m)
1. Fasta Than Light (3) – Wayne O’Connell
2. Come By Often (4) – Kelly Gates
3. Famechon Baroness (6) – Hannah Phillips
Time: 1:33.40
Margins: 6 3/4 lengths x  1 1/2 lengths

Race 4 produced the closest finish … just a short neck separated I Am McLovin and Hopetoun Street 
Second was daylight … favourite Fasta Than Light, ridden by Wayne O’Connell, won the Wondai Cup by six lengths

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