Action-Packed Day At Kumbia

Winners are grinners … Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington backed the winner of Race 2 while Race Club president Brian Lenihan was celebrating another successful Melbourne Cup Day meeting at Kumbia

November 3, 2021

Kumbia Race organisers urged patrons to wear pink at the annual “Flemington In The Bush” race meeting on Tuesday.

Many heeded the call to “Pink Up Kumbia”, especially a large group from the Gold Coast who came up to spend time with Kumbia friends, Brian and Kathy McMurdy.

One punter who was definitely in the pink was local MP Deb Frecklington who backed the winner of Race 2 – the race she sponsored alongside her sister Jackie Allery (Raine & Horne Real Estate) and Nutrien Ag Solutions Kingaroy.

The thing is … Mrs Frecklington also backed the winner in her sponsored race last year!

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced some changes at the 2021 Kumbia Races: tickets and cheese platters had to be pre-booked online, the main entrance was on the western side of the track; and there were, of course, the ubiquitous QR code signs everywhere.

But once inside, it looked like the Kumbia Races of old, with guests enjoying drinks in the bar or in marquees erected alongside the track.

But while the punters were relaxing and having fun, the stewards were being kept busy with the five-race card.

Race 1 was delayed initially when the saddle cloths were not available, and then ‘Midnight Waltz’ would not let her jockey mount until it she was led out on to the track, further delaying the jump.

The racing was also full of drama, with Carly Frater – the jockey on Race 2 runner-up ‘Avoca’ – suspended for three weeks for failing to ride the horse out to the finish line.

Six other jockeys also were fined or reprimanded for various infractions, including accepting a mount when overweight, and three trainers were reprimanded for presenting their horses with the wrong gear.

Libby Clapperton, Tarong; Lynelle Paterson, Kingaroy; Helen Baker, Kingaroy; Verelle O’Shanesy … Verelle is always a sure bet in the Fashions of the Field competition and she didn’t disappoint on Tuesday, taking out the “Most Stylish Goddess 50+” and “Best Millinery” prizes

Rick and Gloria Kirkness, from Nanango, came over with a busload of 18 organised by the Nanango Tourism and Development Association (NaTDA)

Adriana and Andrew Manson, from Runnymede, were taking the “Pink Up Kumbia” theme to the max

Felicity Burton, Brymaroo; Hayley Ahern, Gayndah; and Mia Dugdell, Kumbia; were relaxing trackside

Darryl Dove, Kingaroy; former councillor Barry Green, Nanango; Janelle Askin, Kingaroy; and Kay Dove, Kingaroy

A large group of friends – all in pink – came up from the Gold Coast to spend time with their friends Brian and Kathy McMurdy, Kumbia

Owner / trainer Jim Hanna, from Toowoomba, was congratulated on his Race 2 win by sponsors Julie Holdsworth (Nutrien Ag Solutions, Kingaroy); Jackie Allery (Raine & Horne Kingaroy) and Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington; and Kumbia Race Club president Brian Lenihan

Racecaller Ross Stanley – author of the popular Gunsynd’s Gossip column – had a balanced view of the races

The crowd packed into the betting ring to watch the live broadcast of the Melbourne Cup on the TV screen

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Exceptional Belle romped home in Race 1 with Corinne Miles on board

Race Results

Race 1 – Rohan Voller Denture Studio, Powersafe Kingaroy & Nutrien Livestock Class B Handicap (1000m)
1. Exceptional Belle (3) – Corinne Miles
2. Stormwater (1) – Gary Geran
3. Miss Cruisey (9) – Bradley Appo
Time: 0:56.87
Margins: 3 lengths x short neck

Race 2 – Deb Frecklington, Raine & Horne Kingaroy & Nutrien Ag Solutions QTIS Maiden Plate (1200m)
1. Romance Factor (6) – Lilli Barr
2. Avoca (1) – Carly Frater
3. Darlhisma (8) – Kenji Yoshida
Time: 1:10.50
Margins: Long neck x half length

Race 3 – Liberty Fuel Kingaroy Benchmark 60 Handicap (1200m)
1. Coynes Road (4) – Chris Meehan
2. Bonville (7) – Lilli Barr
3. Oakfield Comanche (1) – Hannah Phillips
Time: 1:09.55
Margins: Long neck x long neck

Race 4 – Lenihan, Smoothy, Reed & McConville Families Burnett To The Beach BenchMark 50 Handicap (1400m)
1. East Esplanade (3) – Lilli Barr
2. Kakatiya (7) – Chris Meehan
3. Enchanted Reign (9) – Bradley Appo
Time: 1:21.99
Margins: 2 1/2 lengths x 1 1/2 lengths

Race 5 – Huston Motors Kumbia Cup Open Handicap (1400m)
1. Destiny’s Own (1) – Billie-Rose Andrew
2. Palate (5) – Kenji Yoshida
3. Stazzana (7) – Gary Geran
Time: 1:20.00
Margins: 3 1/4 lengths x head