September 18, 2022
A rash of events around the South Burnett on Saturday, September 10 may have reduced attendances at Nanango’s Spring Race meeting a little this year.
But Lee Park racegoers were grateful rain preceding the meeting stopped on Friday as were – do doubt – organisers of the South Burnett Rugby League Grand Final in Murgon, the Heritage Nanango Country Music Muster at the Nanango Showgrounds, the Mega NRA Rodeo at Kingaroy and the Blackbutt Avocado Festival.
The track rating was upgraded from a Heavy 9 to a Heavy 8 after two contests, and horses safely negotiated the ground.
The day also produced some local triumphs.
Courtesy of two wins and a second placing, Leeanne McCoy is Lee Park’s present leading rider.
Leeanne linked up with Toowoomba mentor Jackie Crompton and an old ally – Jandowae’s Geoffrey Schrader – to score on Charged and Palentiful.
Patrick Sexton took the lead on the trainers’ table when Hairy Lover scored his third Lee Park victory.
And after an eight year absence, his rider Ian French visited the winner’s slot at Bundaberg a week earlier.
It was a real thrill for him to do likewise at the course where he rides work.
The South Burnett also tasted victory courtesy of the Tom Moloney trained Diggity.
The Equiano (Fr) gelding, part owned by Bob and Dorothy Black, had registered three consecutive second placings and the change of fortune was overdue.
Nanango gelding Missile Magic gave a great sight but found Charged too strong over the final part of the Deb Frecklington MP QTIC Class 3 Plate.
Deb Frecklington and her husband Jason were on-course to watch the race, and also served as roaming judges for the Fashions on the Field competition.
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(Photo: Ross Stanley)
A remarkable run of incidents saw the Yarraman Bakery Maiden Plate start 22 minutes late.
The following extracts from the Stewards report narrate the dilemma:
“On arrival behind the barriers Fiable Rose dislodged rider Shannyn Stephan galloped a short distance, underwent a veterinary examination and was cleared to start.
“After being loaded into the barriers, Jenessa became fractious, was removed, underwent a veterinary examination, and was declared a late scratching at 2:53pm after sustaining cuts to the near foreleg. Fiable Rose, which was unable to be safely re-saddled behind the barriers, was declared a late scratching at 3:01pm. Lock and Launch, which became fractious after being loaded into the barriers, was removed and declared a late scratching at 3:07pm on veterinary advice after sustaining abrasions to the off-hind hock.
“The start was further delayed when Max’n’Mat proved difficult to load. Bearing in mind the significant delay due to three late scratchings at the barrier, no action was taken against the horse.”
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Future Nanango race meetings (with Fashion theme) to put in your diary are:
- Saturday, December 3 (Jingle All the Way)
- Saturday, February 11 (Pretty In Pink)
- Saturday, April 8 (Easter Pastels) and
- Saturday, May 20 (Colour of Autumn)
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Results
Race 1 – Heartfelt Ceremonies With Simone Class B Handicap (800m)
1. Last Lauugh (12) – Sariah Champkin
2. Continuum (5) – Kelly Gates
3. Peta Calada (1) – Chris Meehan
Time: 0.48.58
Margins: 1 1/2 lengths x head
Race 2 – Deb Frecklington MP QTIS Class 3 Plate (100m)
1. Charged (1) – Leeanne McCoy
2. Missile Magic (8) – Lilli Barr
3. Rural Rebel (5) – Kelly Gates
Time: 1.01.02
Margins: 1 1/4 lengths x 1 1/2 lengths
Race 3 – Yarraman Bakery Maiden Plate (1200m)
1. Palentiful (5) – Leeanne McCoy
2. Max’n’Mat (3) – Shane McGovern
3. Northern Water (14e) – Lilli Barr
Time: 1.15.09
Margins: 2 1/2 lengths x 1 1/4 lengths
Race 4 – Star Tyre Power Kingaroy Open Handicap (1200m)
1. Diggity (4) – Shannyn Stephan
2. Exceed Rock (5) – Beau-Dene Appo
3. Nicholas Adam (10) – Lilli Barr
Time: 1.14.09
Margins: Length x short neck
Race 5 – Heritage Bank Nanango Class B Handicap (1600m)
1. Hairy Lover (1) – Ian French
2. Barta Lines (15e) – Leeanne McCoy
3. Dragon’s Justice (4) – Shannyn Stephan
Time: 1.40.46
Margins: 3/4 length x short head
