May 5, 2019
The final events on the South Burnett’s April racing agenda at Nanango and Wondai summed up the degree of exhilaration generated by the Easter and Anzac Day action.
That pulse is certain to continue its strong beat at Burrandowan on Saturday.
Despite humping four and half kilograms more than his conqueror Supervisor ($3.20) in the Wondai Diggers’ Club Cup (BM 55,1465m), Clouds missed out by a mere nose.
It is no exaggeration to say that the duo engaged in an enthralling duel up the straight.
Winning rider Joshua King indicated post-race that, although the crowd’s $2.50 favourite had not put his lip in front in the home stretch, he feared he might have nabbed his mount right on the line.
Most horses carrying 64.5 kilograms would be expected to tire at the end of an uphill run.
However the gallant grey, with apprentice Joshua Morrow keen to chalk up his first victory, tried extra hard in sight of the mirror.
A spirited struggle brings out the best moments of the game, whether it is at Flemington, Broken Hill or Flinton.
Seven of the ten contests at Nanango and Wondai had a winning margin of less than two lengths.
Three were by a nose, and in the Xtreme 4×4 Sport Class B Handicap at Lee Park, the first four in were covered by neck.
Country patrons are generally able to get very near to the buzzing climax of a race.
Grandstands at the large city tracks are set further back.
Yes, the major venues may have television coverage but the live spectacle is more compelling, in the same way the appreciation of the speed at which a delivery from fast bowler is more acute when the observer is actually at the cricket match.
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Burrandowan Beckons
This coming weekend’s annual renewal at Burrandowan is set to continue the pattern of highly competitive racing and the involvement of racegoers of across the board.
Owners will chase purses that range from an above-average $8,500 up to the $10,000 mark for the KellCo Livestock Burrandowan Cup (BM 55, 1740m).
There is also an attractive QTIS bonus Maiden Plate (1175m) on the schedule.
To help defray expenses, the Burrandowan Picnic Race Club pays a travel rebate of $100 for each horse that does not earn prizemoney.
The first port of call for intending participants is the club’s comprehensive web-site (burrandowan.com.au) and Facebook page.
These sources provide all the necessary information and a Frequently Asked Questions section about the time-honoured occasion.
Topics include transport options, trackside camping, fashion contests, day and night entertainment, the morning clay target shoot and a map.
Punters need to know that there is no TAB facility but there is a covered bookmakers ring.
Burrandowan is roughly located on the intersection of a line drawn west of Kingaroy and one north from Dalby.
The setting is reminiscent of John Williamson’s hit song “Home Among the Gum Trees” – there are no ATMS or mobile phone reception.
Many folk bring their own folding chairs and make a base a la a wagon train circle.
Although there is no TAB facility, the covered bookmakers ring and the Skychannel television service caters for the punters.
Chahpingah Hall, the cafe venue, is the collection point for pre-ordered Grazing Boxes and Platters.
The racing environs are subject to the State wide ban on BYO alcohol.
The Saturday evening scene with its pit fired BBQs and the camping zone are exempt because those spaces are outside the licensed area.
Steak and bread rolls are sold in the infield – participants need to supply items such as utensils, plates, cutlery and any side dishes.
More details are available by contacting Trish Christie on 0429-771-411 or by emailing her.
The racecourse number for race day only calls is (07) 4164-8141, and if you want to sound like an experienced hand, call the place “Burrandown”.
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Bits And Bridles
- Matt Kropp ventured across from the Darling Downs to take out this weekend’s 1212 metre Bundaberg leg of the Battle of the Bush series. In a desperately tight finish on the sand, Marksfield (61.5 kg, $2.50 favourite, Gary Geran) downed the local contender Al’s Brief (56.5 kg, $8, Hannah Phillips) by a head with Bel Seleva (56 kg, $2.70, Miki Makoa) from Glenn Richardson’s Nanango yard a nose away in third berth.
- Senko Sidra (M.Makao, $2.40) produced some compensation for Richardson by shedding her maiden tag by more than five lengths. The Red Dazzler filly was having just her second career outing.
- Although Gympie mare Lil Ruby Rose missed a place in the Bundaberg Qualifier, she has chalked up five wins and two thirds in the first four months of this year. The Longhorn mare, prepared by Cherie Vick, is usually handled by stable jockey Robert Faehr. The dark coloured mare is looming as a chance for the Nanango Horse Of The Year honours.
- Faehr is in form. He landed a double at Bundaberg with Royal Equiano for Vick and Lucky Machu for Mark Lewis.
- Hannah English, after booting home Pat Duff’s charge Devillan at Kilcoy on Thursday, headed north to the Atherton Tableland for full books for John Manzelmann’s team on both days of Mount Garnet’s bumper two-day carnival. She scored on Lollipop Rocket to add to her Anzac double at Wondai on the Lindsay Anderson trained Kenford and Carrock for Kilkivan horseman Kym Afford. English has saluted ten times inside the past month.
- Congratulations to Andrew Green. The President of the Nanango Race Club has a syndicate share in the Natalie McCall trained Epic Rant. The Snitzel gelding made it two from two in easy fashion at Ipswich on Saturday. The chestnut, a former lodger with Michael Costa, prevailed first up at the Sunshine Coast on April 14.
- Nanango is closing on a key meeting on May 25 when Lee Park hosts a Battle of the Bush qualifying opportunity for grass gallopers. The event will be chockfull of interest as there will only be two more dates available for connections to secure a place in the $125,000 Final at Doomben on June 22.
