April 26, 2017
Wondai’s Anzac Day race meeting always draws a bumper crowd, and this year’s outing was certainly no exception.
While the traditional Anzac Day Fashions On The Field competition was mysteriously absent, many elegantly attired women and stylish dressed gentleman adorned the course.
The betting ring and bar also did a boom trade as patrons sought shelter from the bright autumn sunshine, while others took refuge under marquees set up in front of the grandstand.
Most had come from sombre Anzac Day commemorations earlier in the day and were clearly in the mood for an upbeat afternoon.
They had to wait a little longer than planned, though.
The first race had been scheduled to leave the barriers at 1:40pm.
But when it turned out the regular ambulance was unavailable, South Burnett Race Club officials had to delay the start of the meeting until a replacement ambulance arrived.
This, in turn, delayed all the day’s other races … though no-one really seemed to mind.
Another unexpected delay occurred in the third race – the annual Wondai Diggers Club Cup – when a protest was lodged by the fourth placegetter against the second.
Stewards laboured over the videos for some time before dismissing it, but the winning horse’s trainer Bob Murray had to cool his heels while they were doing this before he could be awarded his prize.
The Anzac Day meeting is a traditional fundraiser for Legacy, and Tuesday marked its 44th outing.
South Burnett Race Club officials, who recently replaced a large section of outdated fencing at the track with new, higher railings said they were very pleased with the turnout.
The race club’s next meeting will be its Winter Race Day on July 8.
Before then, South Burnett race goers can also enjoy the Burrandowan Picnic Races on May 13 and the Nanango Race Club’s autumn race meeting on May 27.
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Results
Race 1 – Commercial Hotel Kingaroy Maiden Plate (1100m)
1. Kuramos (4) – Hannah Phillips
2. Triple Won (2) – Pietro Romeo
3. Purslane (10) – Jason Hoopert
Time: 1:06.90
Margins: 6 3/4 lengths x long neck
Race 2 – Wondai RSL Sub Branch Open Handicap (1100m)
1. Shoulda To Shoulda (2) – Jason Hoopert
2. Glenthorne Avenue (3) – Gemma Steele
3. James Is Blonde (1) – Shaun Bayliss
Time: 1:05.10
Margins: 3/4 length x 1 3/4 lengths
Race 3 – Wondai Diggers Club Cup QTIS BenchMark 50 Handicap (1100m)
1. Like My Brother (1) – Shaun Bayliss
2. Chayse ‘N’ Mason (3) – Hannah Phillips
3. Karaharaga (2) – Billie-Rose Derbyshire
Time: 1:07.05
Margins: Neck x 1 length
Race 4 – Datawave Internet And Computers BenchMark 45 Handicap (850m)
1. Monte Lago (2) – Billie-Rose Derbyshire
2. I Am McLovin (3) – Jason Hoopert
3. And Jubilations (5) – Robert Faehr
Time: 0:50.95
Margins: 3/4 length x 1 1/2 lengths
Race 5 – Hotel Cecil Wondai BenchMark 60 Handicap (1465m)
1. Clouds (1) – Gemma Steele
2. Rhiatenn Road (3) – Wayne O’Connell
3. You Can’t Be (2) – Robert Faehr
Time: 1:33.10
Margins: 4 3/4 lengths x 1 length
