June 18, 2019
With the 2019 Queensland Derby going to Mr Quickie on Stradbroke Day, it is timely to recall that the Burnett had a slice of the early classics staged in colonial days.
The Gayndah based Queensland Jockey Club provided the north with its first Derby in June 1868.
The Telegraph newspaper (December 27, 1933) reported that Hermit, leased by Bill Parry-Okeden from Walter Scott of Taromeo Station near Nanango, had the distinction of being the first entry on the honour board.
The black gelding had won the Corinthian Cup at Eagle Farm and the Maiden at Nanango’s Christmas program.
Gayndah’s two other Derbies in 1869 and 1870 were won by Walter Scott’s duo Zambesi and Grafton.
The latter also prevailed in the Derby version at Toowoomba, before Brisbane became the event’s home in 1871.
Zambesi was well named being a son of Livingstone (GB).
Mr Quickie is well bred on his maternal side through Stella Artois, a daughter of Horlicks (Japan Cup), the dam of Brew (2000 Melbourne Cup).
The early Derby days were a struggle with very small fields the norm.
Nominations closed more than four months before race day.
No Queensland Derbies were run for the period 1873-1877, and the first two editions of the Australian Derby in Sydney in 1861 and 1862 attracted only three and four participants respectively.
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The Derby’s English Origins
Edward Smith-Stanley, the 12th Earl of Derby, was a wealthy devotee of the sport of kings and cock-fighting.
At a racing party in 1778 at his place east of Epsom known as The Oaks, a group decided to stage a sweepstakes event for three-year-old fillies the following summer.
It came to pass that Bridget, Smith-Stanley’s entry, was the 12 furlong race’s inaugural winner.
At the post-race celebrations at The Oaks, it was decided to create a similar competition for the colts.
According to the most commonly held explanation, a toss of the coin involving the Earl and Sir Charles Bunbury, a politician and a senior steward of The Jockey Club, was used to see if the initiative should be called the Bunbury or the Derby.
Another theory is that the gentlemanly Bunbury wished that the naming honour should go to his host.
In 1780, Bunbury’s Diomed took out the first edition of the Derby.
That contest and the next three renewals were run over a mile, before the task was permanently extended by another half a mile.
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The Bush Is Heading To Town
The top sixteen place-holders and six reserves for the $125,000 Battle Of The Bush Final at Eagle Farm on June 22 have been declared
The field with trainers, home bases and the early confirmed riders is as follows.
1. Fab’s Cowboy – Bevan Johnson (Miles)
2. Bush Caviar ***– Henry Forster (Ilfracombe) Jim Byrne
3. Marksfield – Matt Kropp (Dalby) Gary Geran
4. Kakakenny – Rodney Little (Ilfracombe) Brooke Richardson
5. Deadly Choices – Damien Flinter (Mount Isa)
6. Stellar Knight – Olivia Cairns (Mackay) Justin Stanley
7. Tycoon Zip *** – Shane Smith (Toowoomba)
8. Music Scene – David Reynolds (Dalby) Leeanne McCoy
9. Machu Picchu – Brian Laherty (Nanango) Hannah English
10. Malibu Affair – Craig Smith (Roma) Matthew McIllivray
11. Sweet Surprise ***– John Manzelmann (Mackay) Jamie Kah
12. Hanover Square – Bevan Johnson (Miles)
13. Mia Host – Damien Rideout (Thangool)
14. Split The Atom – Bob Burow (Mount Isa) Jason Barbarovich
15. Little Stryker +++ – Renee Schluenz (Cairns)
16. Kahuna +++ – Nippy Seymour (Sarina)
Emergencies:
17. Gendebien (Wayne Baker)
18. Galea Warrior (Bob Burow)
19. All Host (Darryl Gardiner)
20. Bel Seleva (Glenn Richardson)
21. Still The Same (Bevan Johnson)
22. Go Get Sum (Phyllis Kalinowski)
Balloted Out: Timetus, Lollipop Rocket.
*** Horses who finished second in their qualifier where the winner had previously qualified for the final.
+++ Despite winning qualifiers, Far North horses Bold Avenue and How Can I Help did not accept for the final. Little Stryker (Second at Cairns) and Kahuna (Third at Cairns) will represent Far North Queensland in the final.
Apprentices cannot claim.
The Jockey Declaration deadline is noon on June 19.
Nanango obviously has Machu Picchu (Hannah English) as its prime interest.
Glenn Richardson will need four withdrawals to gain a berth with Bel Seleva, the mare that finished a close third in the Bundaberg leg on May 4.
The all important barrier draw for the Tatt’s Tiara and the Battle of the Bush Final will be conducted in the Queen Street Mall around 9:30am on June 19.
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Wondai In July
Given that the fashion theme for the July 6 meeting at Wondai is Winter Brights, there is sure to be a range of warm colours in abundance trackside.
The meeting is an opportunity for the Duff clan to weave a tapestry of tales about their kinfolk.
Family members have sponsored four memorial races in tribute to Lewis, the patriarch, and his siblings Stephanie, Kevin and Neal.
The other race on the card is kindly backed by Wondai Electrical Services.
Radio station Crow FM 90.7 is another strong supporter of the final program for the season at Wondai.
Facebook account holders should note that the “South Burnett Race Club” is now the club’s page instead of the previous “Wondai Races” page.
The Marquee Mall was a sell-out on Anzac Day.
This inexpensive, reserved table set-up is handily located.
Phone Chris on 0499-873-269 to make bookings and organise the necessary pre-payment ($50 per 10 seats).
Grazing platters are also available from $25.
