April 28, 2016
Wondai’s traditional Anzac Day race meeting always attracts a good crowd of punters after the morning’s commemorations have wound up, but the seriousness of the day is not forgotten.
The South Burnett Race Club donates half of every Anzac Day race meeting’s gate takings to Legacy, and judging by the size of the crowd this year, the charity should be smiling.
After the sombre start to the day the atmosphere trackside was upbeat, even if acceptances were down slightly.
There was a brief moment of drama in the fourth race of the day when the saddle on By Content slipped at the 400m mark, putting apprentice jockey Adam Spinks at a distinct disadvantage.
Spinks was completely dislodged when By Content pulled up past the winning post, but luckily was not hurt.
Apprentice Montanna Savva also took a tumble in the final race when her horse Sialia Magic blundered on jumping.
She suffered bruises and was examined by ambulance officers at the track.
South Burnett Race Club officials said they were very happy with the turnout on the day and are looking forward to the club’s Winter Race Meeting on July 9.
By then they will have counted Monday’s gate takings and be ready to present Legacy with a cheque.
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Earlier on Monday, Wondai residents turned out for the town’s Anzac Day commemorations.
They included a 5:00am Dawn Service, an 8:00am pilgrimage to the War Service Graves at Wondai Cemetery, and a 10:00am Commemoration Service, wreath laying and procession at the War Memorial outside Wondai Town Hall.
As usual, all events were well-attended.
Lucy Jacobsen played the Last Post on the town’s historic WWI bugle, which was used by the Wondai Town & District Band to farewell the town’s soldiers in 1915 and welcome them back in 1919, as part of the Commemoration Service.
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Results
Race 1 – Hotel Cecil Maiden Plate (1100m)
1. Miss Alexandra (6) – Maurice Crawford
2. Denarte (8) – Melody O’Brien
3. Excited Dream (5) – Robert Faehr
Time: 1:09.10
Margins: 1 3/4 lengths x 1/2 head
Race 2 – Datawave BenchMark 45 Handicap (1100m)
1. Duan Theo (2) – Adam Spinks
2. Canid (1) – Hannah English
3. Nug’s Pocket (4) – Todd Banks
Time: 1:07.50
Margins: Short head x 9 1/4 lengths
Race 3 – The Com.Pub BenchMark 60 Handicap (1100m)
1. Shoulda To Shoulda (3) – Adam Spinks
2. Watasham (4) – Montanna Savva
3. Glenthorn Avenue (1) – Jason Missen
Time: 1:06.65
Margins: 1 1/4 lengths x short half head
Race 4 – BenchMark 50 Handicap (850m)
1. I Am McLovin (1) – Hannah Phillips
2. Brawny Babe (6) – Ian Coombes
3. Chosen Court (7) – Jedidiah Hodge
Time: 0:52.10
Margins: 2 lengths x neck
Race 5 – Wondai RSL BenchMark 55 Handicap (1465m)
1. Luck’s In (2) – Hannah English
2. General Kingsman (4) – Adam Spinks
3. Utmost Faith (3) – Ian Coombes
Time: 1:33.30
Margins: 2 1/4 lengths x 10 3/4 lengths