October 27, 2017
Female jockeys were podium placed at Wondai 14 times last Saturday and it was only Jason Missen, who collected third money on Fasta Than Light in the last event, who prevented the perfect score of five trifectas.
The fact the third contest on the card was the Monica Ryan QTIS BM 55 Handicap proved somewhat prophetic.
On March 24, 1990 women booted home all seven winners at Wondai.
Ryan led the charge with a quadrella where Jo Downes, Debbie Osborne and Jenny Cochrane contributed one apiece.
The proportional spread of mounts by gender for last weekend’s program was 26 to 12 in favour of the fairer sex.
Furthermore, South Burnett hoops Gemma Steele (Wondai) and Hannah Phillips (Nanango) headed the weigh-in queue four times including their dead-heat respectively on Glenthorn Avenue and Fab’s Cowboy in the Seiler Earthmoving Open Handicap.
District stables also relished the harvest, and the only offering they didn’t claim was the Roy and Glenis Radunz Wondai Cup.
In a keenly contested affair that had no local candidates, Cecily Eaton added the trophy to her 2017 Nanango Cup victory, courtesy of the Darryl Gardiner trained Kuramos.
Liverpool Jane and newcomer Smart Venture also saluted for the Lindsay Anderson-Gemma Steele combination while Tony Williams saddled up the Summit Financial Services Class B winner National Jewel.
The favourite, handled by Phillips, was followed in by more locals in Ascot Bound and Star of Bethlehem.
In short, runners prepared by Tom Moloney, Glenn Richardson, Kristen Wenck and Neville O’Toole all earnt place money.
For the record, although the visitors supplied 24 starters, the 14 representatives from Burnett yards filled more than half of the first-three spots during the afternoon.
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The Sand Survived
The South Burnett Race Club had every reason to be delighted that its Caulfield Cup Day meeting ran its full course.
The big wet washed away the last six races at Doomben while Stanthorpe, Mitchell, Thangool and Blackall were all abandoned.
Attention now turns to Saturday’s Gympie fixture.
The main interest for the Burnett fraternity centres around Glenthorn Avenue’s assault on the $20,000 Brown Macauley and Warren Gympie Cup (1600m).
Apart from the substantial prizemoney, the bonus of $5,000 for the Three Cups Trainers’ Challenge will be finalised.
Lindsay Anderson’s contender has 30 points while Pat Duff’s hopes Unbowed (10) and Fasta Than Light (5) have a chance to come from behind.
Points are allocated on a 30,10,5 basis for the first three, with a potentially vital two points going to the unplaced finishers.
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Upcoming Events
Kumbia is the focal point on Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday November 7, and a special feature will be the club’s 90th birthday celebrations.
Racing highlights include the Huston Motors Kumbia Cup, the Jim Lenihan Memorial and the Joyce and Boy Reed Memorial.
Bookings are a necessity for the Wine and Cheese tables.
Inquiries are best made by email to Chantelle at chantellewhiteman@hotmail.com.
The Fashion on the Field categories are Best Dressed Classical Lady, Uniquely Styled Lady and Best Dressed Man.
There will also be a jumping castle for the children.
It is an inexpensive day out with admission set at just $10 and $5 for concession card holders.
Racegoers are reminded that there is no ATM facility at this once-a-year venue, so bring cash.
If you’d prefer not to drive, contact the Carollee Hotel at Kingaroy on (07) 4162-1055 for bus reservations.
General enquiries should be directed to Wendy Mathews on (07) 4163-7200 and patrons can keep abreast of details by checking Kumbia Race Club’s Facebook pages.
After Cup Day at Kumbia, it will be Nanango’s turn when they stage their annual Christmas meeting on Sunday – not Saturday – December 3.
The Spot Fashion theme is 70s Flares and Big Hair, which should be a lot of fun.
