An elated Billy-Rose Derbyshire is congratulated by trainer Brenton Andrew after winning the day’s feature race, the Malcolm McCallum Memorial, aboard Shuttle Miss

December 7, 2015

No one at Saturday’s busy Nanango Christmas Races managed to pick all five winners to take home the $1000 bonus offered by bookmaker John O’Sullivan … but then again, no one seemed to mind.

John issued the unusual betting challenge as a special promotion for the Christmas meeting, and all paying customers were given an entry form to make their five selections when they came through the gate.

All entries were then put into a specially marked box. Losing entries were removed by Nanango Race Club officials after each race was run.

The first race produced a lot of smiles when Wondai jockey Hannah English steered the favourite Jill’s Shadow over the finish line almost a length ahead of its nearest rival. A lot of entries were safe in the box.

The same in the second race when equal favourite I Am McLovin scored a victory.

But all hopes were dashed in third race when jockey Billy-Rose Derbyshire managed to guide 8-to-1 shot Shuttle Miss past the post a short neck ahead of the highly fancied Mollara, a development none of the punters had foreseen.

“There was just no one left in the box by the end of Race 3,” club secretary Rosemary Hansen said.

“But it was great fun and maybe we can do it again some time.”

The race club’s grounds were packed with revellers, and parking space was difficult to find.

Many guests took up the challenge to wear some Christmas red, and the Fashions Of The Field competition drew a bumper crop of flame-coloured entrants.

Elsewhere in the grounds, the Carrollee Hotel’s traditional giant marquee – a regular fixture at the Christmas race meeting – was joined this year by smaller marquees from the NAB Bank and the Nanango Tourism and Development Association, along with a large party from Nanango State School who had come along to farewell a colleague.

Inside the tea room, the State Government’s proposed restructure of Racing Queensland – which was announced earlier in the week – and the possible effect it might have on the Nanango Race Club in future were a hot topic of conversation.

Cr Barry Green noted the reforms were still in the early stages and the official position could change during the four years the State Government has proposed to “ease in” changes to country racing.

Former Race Club president John Lee also put in an appearance to wish fellow Race Club members the compliments of the season.

In the mounting yard, two special prizes were handed out: the Les and Thelma Pedersen Trophy went to Kumbia trainer James Curtain for I Am McLovin’s victory in Race 2; and the Malcolm McCallum Memorial bridle went to Gatton trainer Brenton Andrew for Shuttle Miss’ upset victory in Race 3.

Race Club officials said they were very pleased with the large turnout on the day and the festive atmosphere guests had brought with them.

The Nanango Race Club’s next meeting will be held on Saturday, February 13, and will have a Valentine’s Day theme.

Joan Price, her grandson Robbie Ashcroft, 5, and Jackie Nesbitt look on as this year’s Les and Thelma Pederson Trophy is presented by Roslyn Frohloff to Kumbia Trainer James Curtain; James’ horse I Am McLovin romped home the winner by a length in the second race
Nanango State School staff Naomi Cronin, Lauren Richardson, Nicole Greaves, Shannon Larsen and Lynette Perrett used the meeting to celebrate Nicole’s birthday and also to farewell Lauren, who will be moving to Western Australia shortly
A stylish duo … Ladies Fashions Of The Field winner Kerry Humbler, from Kingaroy, with runner-up Bree Brown, from Wheatlands
Men’s Fashions Of The Field runner-up Dan Otto, from Kingaroy, with winner Chris Rowell, from Kippa-Ring
Friends Amy Paterson and Nicola Gardner travelled from the Sunshine Coast to enjoy a day of country racing action

Regular Fashions Of The Field entrant Jae Clarke takes some advice about “Christmas Reds” from Moffatdale Ridge winery’s Jason Kinsella

Keen racegoer Sam Hudson, from Nanango, brought along her friend Chrissie Seath, also from Nanango, for a fun day out at the races
Tania Webb, Kylie Kirk and Philippa Heath – all from Nanango – came along to farewell their friend Lauren Richardson

Rebecca Alexander, from Nanango State School, and Desire Newton from NSS P&C

Jason Schloss and Julie Foley, both from Nanango, shared a laugh together
Trainer Brenton Andrew accepts the bridle from Des McCallum after his horse Shuttle Miss won the day’s feature race, the Malcolm McCallum Memorial QTIS Maiden Handicap
Nanango netballer Erin Early challenged Nanango Stags player Brent Greenslade to see who was the tallest; Erin’s fascinator was just enough to clinch her a win
Kingaroy’s Carrollee Hotel had their traditional Christmas marquee set up on the grounds, and Terry McAlary, Noel Schmidt, “Rocket”, Kym Woodall and Greg Brown were all enjoying the hospitality
The Nanango Tourism and Development Association (NaTDA) also had a marquee at the meeting, and sponsored Race 4

* * *

James Curtain’s I Am McLovin, ridden by Alisha Taylor, beat its nearest rival by a length in Race 2 to win the Les and Thelma Pederson Memorial Trophy

Results

Race 1 – Star Tyre Power Kingaroy Maiden Plate (800m)
1. Jill’s Shadow (8) – Hannah English
2. Chevys Desire (4) – Jason Hoopert
3. Tramps ‘N’ Thieves (3) – Jason Missen
Time: 0:46.30
Margins: 3/4 length x 3/4 length

Race 2 – Nanango RSL Club/Pederson Memorial Benchmark 55 Handicap (1000m)
1. I Am McLovin (10) – Alisha Taylor
2. Turbo Teddy (8) – Adam Spinks
3. Tropical Heatwave (6) – Jason Missen
Time: 0:57.89
Margins: 1 length x 1 1/2 lengths

Race 3 – Malcolm McCallum Memorial QTIS Maiden Handicap (1200m)
1. Shuttle Miss (12) – Billy-Rose Derbyshire
2. Mollara (4) – Hannah English
3. Platinum Grey (3) – Leeanne McCoy
Time: 1:10.30
Margins: Short neck x 2 lengths

Race 4 – Nanango Tourism And Development Association Class 2 Handicap (1200m)
1. Nador (3) – Lyall Appo
2. Chilldown (4) – Leeanne McCoy
3. Hopetoun Street (2) – Jason Missen
Time: 1:10.20
Margins: Nose x 2 lengths

Race 5 – John Dundas Automotive Group Benchmark 60 Handicap (1600m)
1. Count Romano (4) – Leeanne McCoy
2. Luck’s In (2) – Hannah English
3. Annihilation (1) – Vishan Venkaya
Time: 1:35.05
Margins: Long neck x 1/2 length

Shuttle Miss, ridden by Billy-Rose Derbyshire, hung on to beat rival Mollara by a short neck across the finish line in the feature race of the day, the Malcolm McCallum Memorial

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