Bumper Day At Anzac Races

Maddison Cunnington, from Bundaberg, with Sam Emslie, Kingaroy, and Amanda Weber, Wondai

April 27, 2021

This year’s Anzac Day meeting in Wondai could be the biggest since the upgraded facility re-opened in 1985, South Burnett Race Club patron Roy Radunz believes.

The crowd was so big, in fact, the race club’s canteen ran out of supplies midway through the afternoon.

And while the bar was able to continue serving patrons all day, officials admit it was a fairly close-run thing.

Trackside marquees were also booked out a week beforehand, and there was a bumper line-up across all categories for the popular fashion competitions.

An extra-large field of acceptors also meant the race club’s traditional five-race program was expanded to six races, much to the joy of many punters who packed out the undercover betting ring, with large crowds lining the mounting yards to scrutinise the horseflesh before each race.

The weather also smiled on the day, providing warm and sunny conditions.

Wondai’s Anzac Day meeting is always a popular counterpoint to the solemnities of the morning’s Anzac commemorations, which were observed in every town and village across the region from sun-up to around noon.

Race club officials think the absence of racing last year due to pandemic restrictions may have increased many racegoers’ appreciation of the sport’s recent return to local courses.

Whatever the cause, they were delighted to be back to a “new normal” and now look forward to presenting their winter meeting on July 3 and Caulfield Cup meeting on October 16.

Tom and Barbara Thompson, from Cooyar, both entered the Fashions On The Field competition

Catharine Jennings, from Kingaroy, was chatting with a new friend, Jarrod Leahy, from Ballogie

Abigail Andersson and her daughter Tully, 11, were enjoying all the race day action

Cr Kathy Duff and South Burnett Mayor Brett Otto congratulated Murgon Moments editor Leo Geraghty on his birthday, which Leo celebrated by working (just as he’s done every Anzac Day for the past 25 years)

Keith and Gayle Kratzmann … Keith was part of the third intake of National Service and had his medals with him for the Anzac Day commemorations earlier in the day

Bevan Johanson, Dan Sullivan and Gary and Geoff Etherington … part-owners of Race 3 winner ‘Kentford’

Cr Kirstie Schumacher and Rosie Schmidt spent Anzac Day afternoon unwinding at the track

Anita Smith, from Murgon, and Amanda Stanton, Goomeri, were dazzled by the autumn sunshine

Sponsor Gina Oberle, centre, presented a bottle of wine to the connections of Race 2 winner ‘Oakfield Commanche’, Janene Armstrong and John Hamilton

Fashions competition organiser Cr Kathy Duff commiserated with her uncle – horse trainer Pat Duff – after his horse ‘Boom Chugga Lugga’ came just a neck short of taking out Race 3

Winners are grinners, and Hivesville trainer Lindsay Anderson was particularly happy about the result Race 3 winner ‘Kentford’ produced for his stable

The large field in the Fashions On The Field women’s section pose with the judges

Best Dressed Girl … Amelia Dalton, 10, from Cushnie

Best Dressed Boy … Ryan O’Neill, 5, from Wondai

Best Dressed Gentleman Amiel Nubaha, from Murgon, was a very popular winner

Sashed Best Dressed Lady was Courtney Retschlag, centre, with competition judges Helen Roth, Mayor Brett Otto, Cr Scott Henschen and Sarah Watts, from Bundaberg

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Local jockey Hannah Phillips secured a win aboard favourite ‘Oakfield Comanche’ in Race 2

Results

Race 1 – Wondai IGA & Harley’s Heavy Diesel BenchMark 60 Handicap (1100m)
1. Turbo Teddy (7) – Hannah Phillips
2. Sweet Venom (5) – Hannah Richardson
3. Serriano (6) – Kelly Gates
Time: 1:06.82 (class record)
Margins: 3 3/4 lengths x 1 1/2 lengths

Race 2 – Original Hair By Gina QTIS BenchMark 50 Handicap (1000m)
1. Oakfield Comanche (1) – Hannah Phillips
2. Duready (2) – Hannah Richardson
3. Mossmaid (7) – Montana Philpot
Time: 1:00.45
Margins: 1 1/4 lengths x long neck

Race 3 – Harley’s Heavy Diesel QTIS BenchMark 50 Handicap (1000m)
1. Kentford (1) – Paul Hamblin
2. Boom Chugga Lugga (2) – Hannah Richardson
3. Stellar Way (5) – Angela Jones
Time: 0:59.83
Margins: Neck x 6 1/4 lengths

Race 4 – Wondai Diggers Club Cup Open Handicap (1000m)
1. Absolute Bonza (3) – Montana Philpot
2. Mountain Courage (5) – Isabella Teh
3. Eight Over (1) – Hannah Richardson
Time: 0:57.60
Margins: 5 3/4 lengths x 7 3/4 lengths

Race 5 – Hivesville Hotel Maiden Plate (850m)
1. A Good Chance (12) – Leeanne McCoy
2. Sine Curve (7) – Angela Jones
3. Informer (9) – Hannah Richardson
Time: 0:50.49
Margins: 3 1/4 lengths x nose

Race 6 – Murgon Outdoor Equipment & Amcal Pharmacy Murgon BenchMark 55 Handicap (1575m)
1. Daunting Warrior (2) – Isabella Teh
2. Fend Off (1) – Paul Hamblin
3. Elusive Element (3) – Shannyn Stephan
Time: 1:37.62
Margins: 1 1/4 lengths x 7 3/4 lengths